Dolly Parton has passed away at eighty years old.
The country music icon’s nephew, Brian Seaver, who served as her head of security for more than two decades, announced her passing in a video posted to social media on Tuesday.
“My name is Brian Seaver, the son of Cassie Parton, and I am speaking on behalf of the Parton and Owens families today to share the news of my aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean’s passing—the sister, the matriarch to one generation and the ‘Gigi’ to the next,” he said. “This video message is something Dolly asked me to create years ago, before I fully understood that it would one day be needed.”
In the clip, he added that he felt both pride and a deep sadness to carry out her request.
“But the sadness is with us, not with Dolly,” he continued. “Dolly has lived in the light and is now in the arms of Jesus, surely greeted by (her late husband) Carl (Dean), her parents, and countless others who watched her journey and longed to meet her in the heavens.”
He also recalled that Dolly had previously asked that, upon her passing, she would “rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life of wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.”
The news comes mere days after the music legend publicly discussed her ongoing health struggles.
In an update shared with People, the singer revealed that she had neglected some of her health issues while taking care of her husband of 58 years, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025.
Despite her health challenges, she said there were still “so many things” she wished to accomplish, adding that she intended to “keep on working as long as I can to see everything come to life.”
The Jolene hitmaker released her debut album, Hello, I’m Dolly, in 1967 and went on to become one of the biggest stars in country music history.
The singer, renowned for tunes such as 9 to 5, Coat of Many Colors, and I Will Always Love You, sold more than 100 million records worldwide and logged 25 number-one songs on the Billboard country charts.
Throughout her long career, Dolly earned 11 Grammys, an Emmy, 10 Country Music Association Awards, seven Academy of Country Music Awards and three American Music Awards. She also received two Academy Award nominations and an honorary Oscar and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999.
Dolly also enjoyed a successful film career, making her acting debut in the 1980 classic 9 to 5 alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. She later starred in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Rhinestone and Steel Magnolias.
In the months leading up to her death, she had been working on Dolly: A True Original Musical, which is slated to open on Broadway in December, as well as a new museum dedicated to her life and career in Nashville.
