Dolly Parton’s nephew announced her death at age 80 in a video posted to her Instagram page.
Brian Seaver, representing the Parton and Owens family, shared the news in a prepared statement on the platform last week. The announcement came just four days after the country legend’s final interview, published on August 21, in which she discussed her health struggles and an upcoming Nashville museum project.
“I am representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean,” Seaver said in the Instagram video.
“I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t really felt it until now.”
“It is an honour, an honour that is mixes with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly,” he continued.
In her last interview, Parton, 80, spoke about the Life of Many Colors Museum, a new project planned for downtown Nashville. She explained how she had settled on the location after a morning visit to a former office building.
“I am so proud of this,” Parton told the magazine. “We found this location early one morning. I knew I wanted to do something special in Nashville, and until I saw this building, nothing ever hit me as the right thing to do.”
She added: “I saw a copy of my book Songteller in the lobby of what once was this office building. After touring it and seeing the location, I knew this was it.”
The ‘Jolene’ singer emphasized that she wanted the space to stand out among other Music City attractions. “I wanted to join all my Nashville friends downtown, but I didn’t just want it to be another bar. So we found a way to bring in my museum on the third floor and make it really special,” she said.
Parton also addressed her health directly in the interview, acknowledging difficulties without specifying conditions. “It’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health. But I think because we live in a 24/7 world with social media, everything gets magnified in ways it wasn’t years ago,” she said.
Reflecting on her decades in the public eye, she drew a comparison between past and present media landscapes. “I used to joke that I was the Queen of the Tabloids, but now I guess I can say I’m the Queen of Social Media AI! Seriously, though, even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’,” Parton said.
In the viral moment that preceded her death, Parton had canceled appearances including a Dollywood event, prompting concern among fans before her family confirmed she had been facing ongoing health challenges.
Seaver paid tribute to his aunt’s connection with audiences worldwide in his announcement. “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,” he shared on Instagram.
He spoke of her roots and legacy in farming country. “Dolly was a farmer just like her daddy. He farmed the soil, she farmed songs and happiness,” Seaver added.
He concluded with a detail about her final wishes. “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 ti be comfortable and have some rest,” he said.
“Rest in peace, Aunt Dolly, Aunt granny, Gigi. May god bless Dolly Parton, and may god bless you all.”
The Life of Many Colors Museum location in Nashville has not yet announced an opening date.