Dolly Parton Dead at 80

Legendary country music star Dolly Parton has passed away at the age of 80.

Best known for the hit singles 'Jolene', '9-5' and 'I Will Always Love You', the latter of which became the biggest song of Whitney Houston's career, Parton's death was confirmed by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who released a video statement on Parton's X account confirming her passing. Read the transcript of what he said below.

This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality.

As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father, Larry, held before me. I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now. It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness.

But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents, and countless others who have watched her and longed for her to meet them in the heavens.

I first went on the road with Dolly as a kid, getting a taste of the road life in the early 1980s. Dolly opened doors not just for me, but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn’t even know was possible. Dolly also opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians, and dreamers from every walk of life and across every continent. By her example, we believed that anything was possible. She never saw a door she couldn’t open, and the doors she opened made and changed history.

My family and I have shared a lifetime of beautiful memories with Dolly, but so have you. She has always been on your television, your record player, your CD, and on your phone playlist becoming an extended part of your family, whether you liked it or not. Our family and the team she has entrusted with her legacy will work diligently to ensure her spirit will live with us for ever.

Dolly was a farmer, just like her daddy. He farmed the soil; she farmed songs and happiness. Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.

Rest in peace, Aunt Dolly, Aunt Granny. Gigi. May God bless Dolly Parton and may God bless you all. She will always love you.

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Born on January 19, 1946, Parton grew up in Pittman Centre, Tennessee, with 11 siblings. She began her career early, moving to Nashville and recording her first single, 'Puppy Love', at age 13.

Across her career, Parton released almost 50 studio albums, scored 25 country #1 hits and won 11 Grammy Awards.

She opened her own theme park, Dollywood, in 1986, founded the Dollywood Foundation in 1988 and launched the Imagination Library in 1995, which provides free books to kids across America.

Tributes have been pouring in from peers and admirers since Parton's passing was announced, with Elton John say, "Shocked and devastated to hear of Dolly’s passing. A giant of an artist - unique and irreplaceable, with the kindest heart."

Singer and TV personality Kelly Clarkson posted on social media: "Dolly Parton had a way of making everyone feel special, and seen, and welcomed, and as if you were old friends," she wrote. "I will miss her heart and her voice as I am sure millions will. What an incredible gift and talent she was and still is with an amazing catalogue of art she has left behind for all of us."

Country music star Maren Morris shared a video of Parton and said, "There will never be another. Dolly Parton was who we could all agree on. She was and is such a light."

Singer Maggie Rogers posted a cover of Parton's song Here You Come Again with the caption: "One of the greatest songwriters of all time. Beautiful radiant butterfly human. I played with her at Newport once, and I felt like my chest was on fire. I was so wildly awe-struck. Thank you. Thank you a million times, Dolly."

Paul McCartney took to Instagram to share a tribute to Parton: "The magnificent star Dolly Parton has died, and it is so sad. She was such a wonderful woman. I first met her in Nashville at the Grand Ole Opry, where she had been playing with the country star Porter Wagoner and was about to start her solo career. She was so bubbly and full of life; it is difficult to take in the news that she has passed. Her songwriting, her singing and her philanthropy were unrivalled in the world of country music, and it is hard to imagine living in a world without Dolly. She was a very clever businesswoman who understood the value of her music and, most importantly, the effect that she had on the people of the world. There was no greater honour for me than to have her sing my song 'Let It Be', and even though I only made a small contribution to it, I am so honoured that she did it. I am so proud to have known her and admire her unique talents. Thanks, Dolly, for the beautiful music you gave me and the whole world. We will always love you. God bless and rest in peace. You were the best."