Dolly Parton's Cause of Death Confirmed by Her Team
Dolly Parton's cause of death has been confirmed: the country music icon died Tuesday after a "brief battle with cancer," according to a statement from her representatives.
Parton, 80, died at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, surrounded by loved ones. Her team did not disclose the specific type of cancer she had been battling. Publicist Marcel Pariseau shared the statement with several outlets, saying, "Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched." The statement continued, "Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand."
What Her Team's Statement Said
The full statement went on to reflect on Parton's legacy of giving, reading, "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." It concluded, "After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones."
According to PEOPLE, Parton had been admitted to Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center the Friday before her death. In lieu of flowers, her family has asked that donations be made in her memory to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.
A Health Journey That Played Out Publicly in Recent Months
Parton had spoken openly in recent months about a series of health difficulties, though the cancer diagnosis itself had not been previously disclosed. Just days before her death, she was unable to attend the dedication ceremony for Dollywood's new NightFlight Expedition ride, appearing instead in a video message and telling fans she had been dealing with dehydration and dizziness. She said at the time that her doctor had "kind of clipped my wings" and advised her not to travel.
That episode followed a difficult year that included the death of her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, in March 2025. Parton later told PEOPLE she had been dealing with health issues she "just didn't pay attention to when I was watching over Carl." She also canceled a planned Las Vegas residency in September 2025, initially citing unspecified "health challenges," and postponed the rescheduled dates again in May.
A Legacy That Spanned Six Decades
Parton's career made her the best-selling female country music artist of all time, with more than 160 million albums sold worldwide since her 1967 debut, "Hello, I'm Dolly." Her catalog includes some of the most enduring songs in American music, among them "I Will Always Love You," "9 to 5" and "Jolene."
Parton is survived by her many nieces and nephews. Her nephew, Brian Seaver, delivered the news of her death Tuesday in a video shared on her Instagram account on behalf of the Parton and Owens families.
Curious for more stories that keep you informed and entertained? From the latest headlines to everyday insights, YourLifeBuzz has more to explore. Dive into what’s next.