Dolly Parton’s Representatives Confirm Cancer Was the Cause of Her Death
Dolly Parton’s representatives have confirmed that the country music icon died following a “brief battle with cancer,” according to a statement provided to People and shared by Variety. Parton was 80.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the statement read. “Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.”
Parton was admitted to the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville on August 21 and died four days later, on August 25, according to Deadline’s reporting, which cited confirmation from her publicist, Katherine Pariseau. The center is part of Vanderbilt University Medical Center and is designated a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute.
Parton had dealt with ongoing health issues over the past year that had kept her largely out of the public eye. She postponed a planned Las Vegas residency and later canceled the rescheduled dates entirely in May, saying at the time that she’d been “dealing with some health issues” and that her “immune system and my digestive system got all out of whack over the past couple, three years.”
Just days before her death, Parton was forced to miss the in-person grand opening of Dollywood’s new NightFlight Expedition roller coaster on August 14 after her doctor advised her to remain in Nashville. She appeared virtually via livestream for the event instead. Her death also came roughly a year and a half after the passing of her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, in March 2025.
Parton’s death was first announced Tuesday by her nephew, Brian Seaver, in a video statement shared on her social media accounts. In a separate statement, her family added: “A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family. Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience.”
According to that statement, a small, private funeral service will be held for immediate family at Parton’s request. Fans have been encouraged to share tributes on social media or through her official website in place of attending a public service.
Parton’s career spanned seven decades and included 10 Grammy Awards, 10 Country Music Association Awards, and 13 Academy of Country Music Awards, alongside her work as a philanthropist, actress, and businesswoman. Tributes have continued arriving from across the music industry and beyond since news of her death broke.
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