Legendary American country music icon, singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist, Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80, her family announced in a statement shared on her social media platforms.
Her nephew, Brian Seaver, described the loss as deeply painful for the family, while saying Parton“lived in the light” and was now in the arms of Jesus. The family described her as a global icon whose seven-decade career touched millions of lives.
Born in 1946 into a poor farming family in Tennessee, Parton was the fourth of 12 children. Raised in a one-room cabin, she was introduced to music through her mother, relatives and the church.
She began singing in church at the age of six and was performing on local television before her teenage years.
At just 13, she made her debut at Nashville’s prestigious Grand Ole Opry, marking the beginning of an extraordinary musical journey.
Parton went on to become one of the most celebrated figures in country music, producing timeless songs while also making her mark in film, literature and philanthropy. Her humanitarian efforts, including her commitment to children’s literacy, further cemented her global influence.
Reports has it that Parton was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Carl Thomas Dean, and her parents, Avie Lee and Robert Lee Parton Sr. Dolly Parton leaves behind a remarkable legacy of music, kindness, resilience and compassion that will continue to inspire generations.