Dolly Parton appeared in good spirits during her final public appearance days before she died on Tuesday.
The “Jolene” songstress, 80, appeared virtually to accept the ACM Poet’s Award at the ACM Honors on Aug. 19, seated in a long-sleeved cream top with her famous blond hair pinned up in a messy updo. She delivered a pre-recorded video message that was shared to Instagram last week, marking her last known public words before her death.
“I just want to send a very special thank you to the Academy of Country Music for honoring me with the Poet’s Award,” Parton said in the clip.
“You know, I’ve been able to do many things throughout my life, but at my core, songwriting has always been the most important part of who I am creatively,” she added.
Parton continued: “Every dream I ever had and all the dreams that I’ve been able to see come true in life, well, they all started with a song. Songwriting has been my therapy.”
“Songwriting has been my release, my joy. Songwriting has been a gift from God that has allowed me to touch people with words and music,” she shared.
On Tuesday, the country music star’s nephew and longtime head of security, Bryan Seaver, announced her passing in an Instagram post. She was 80.
“I am representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my Aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean,” Seaver began in the clip.
“Sister, aunt, Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he continued. “This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago before I fully absorbed it as a future reality.”
Seaver, who has been head of Parton’s security for more than two decades, said he has “imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”
“It is an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly,” he said.
Parton’s publicity team also confirmed her passing on Tuesday in a statement.
“A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family,” her reps said.
“Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience. With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place,” they added.
A cause of death has not yet been disclosed to the public, however, reports said that Parton was admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville last Friday morning with kidney and autoimmune issues. The outlet reported that Parton died in the hospital.
In the viral moment that preceded her final days, Parton had canceled an appearance at her iconic Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, just days before her passing. A doctor ordered her not to travel due to ongoing “health issues,” forcing her to miss the celebration of the park’s newest ride, NightFlight Expedition. The cancellation had sparked concern among fans who had hoped for a rare public sighting of the reclusive legend at the event she typically cherished attending.
Parton’s ACM Honors appearance came just four days before her death, making it her farewell message to the industry she helped define across seven decades. The 10-time Grammy winner’s last recorded words about songwriting as her “therapy” and “gift from God” now serve as a poignant coda to a career that produced classics including “I Will Always Love You,” “Jolene,” and “9 to 5.”