Country music icon Dolly Parton dies at 80 after brief battle with cancer

Abi Sarabia M., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
August 26, 2026

Photo courtesy: Dolly Parton Facebook Page

Dolly Parton, the country music legend whose songs, films and philanthropy made her one of America’s most enduring entertainers, has died at the age of 80.

Parton died peacefully Tuesday, August 25, in Nashville, Tennessee, her publicist Marcel Pariseau confirmed. According to a statement cited by the Associated Press, she died at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones after a brief battle with cancer.

Her death marks the end of a career that spanned decades and crossed country, pop, film and television.

Known as the “Queen of Country Music,” Parton wrote and recorded some of the genre’s most recognizable songs, including “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You.” Her music sold more than 100 million copies worldwide and generated more than one billion online streams.

Born into a poor family in rural Tennessee, Parton grew up as one of 12 children. She began singing in church and appeared on local television as a child before moving to Nashville after graduating from high school in 1964 to pursue a career in music.

Her breakthrough came through her partnership with country star Porter Wagoner, before she established herself as a successful solo performer. “Jolene” became one of her signature songs in 1973, followed by “I Will Always Love You” in 1974. The latter was later recorded by Whitney Houston and became a global hit.

Parton also found success in film, starring alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the 1980 comedy “9 to 5.” The film’s title song became another major hit. She later appeared in movies including “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” and “Steel Magnolias.”

Beyond entertainment, Parton became widely known for her philanthropy. She founded the Imagination Library, which provides free books to children, and supported communities affected by disasters in her native Tennessee. Her business ventures also included Dollywood, the theme park that became a major economic driver in the Appalachian region.

Parton continued receiving major recognition late in her career. Just days before her death, her official website announced that she had received 82 new global sales certifications across 14 countries.

Her husband of nearly six decades, Carl Dean, died in 2025 at the age of 82.

Parton leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond country music, as a songwriter, performer, actress, businesswoman and philanthropist whose work reached generations of fans around the world.