Legendary country music star Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80. Now, her team has confirmed the cause of death.
The sad news of Dolly Parton’s passing was confirmed Tuesday by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, in a video shared on social media.
He started off by saying: “My name is Brin Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next.”
Seaver went on: “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 til now.”
He also added: “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 to meet her in the heavens.”
Said she was “dealing with some health issues”
Only a few days before her passing, Dolly spoke about her declining health in an interview with PEOPLE, saying: “As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over [my husband] Carl. You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this. Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health.”
Now, her team has confirmed in a statement to PEOPLE that her death came after a “brief battle with cancer.” The type of cancer she had been diagnosed with was not disclosed.
Dolly Parton’s successful career
Dolly Parton rose to fame through her work with Porter Wagoner in 1967, and she went on to become one of the biggest names in country music. During her successful career, she released thousands of songs, including classics like “Jolene” and “9 to 5.” She also achieved 25 No. 1 singles on the Billboard country charts and earned numerous Grammy Awards for her work
he was also an actor and became closely associated with Dollywood, the theme park she helped establish in Tennessee. Beyond that, she established several charitable initiatives and was celebrated for her philanthropy, particularly her work in the fields of education and healthcare.
Parton was married to Carl Dean from 1966 until his death in 2025.
Now, Parton is being mourned by her fans, friends and family, who are remembering a woman whose music, career and generosity touched generations of people. While her passing marks the end of an extraordinary life, her legacy will continue through the songs she wrote and performed, the work she championed and the many lives she touched throughout her remarkable career