Dolly Parton has died at age 80.
The country music icon’s death was announced Tuesday by her nephew and longtime head of security, Bryan Seaver, 47, in an emotional video posted to social media. Seaver, who took over the security role from his father Larry after more than two decades of service, revealed that Parton had asked him years ago to be the one to break the news when the time came.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he said in the footage. “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 until now.”
Seaver continued: “It is an honour, an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly.”
The announcement came just months after Parton, 80, lost her husband of more than 60 years. Carl Dean died in March 2025 at age 82. In a statement shared on X at the time, Parton wrote: “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.”
Seaver’s tribute painted a picture of his aunt’s spiritual outlook and enduring legacy. “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 for her to meet them in the heavens,” his statement said.
He added that Parton “opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers from every walk of life and across every continent.” Seaver elaborated: “She never saw a door she couldn’t open, and the doors she opened made and changed history.”
The family spokesman also shared a deeply personal detail about Parton’s final wishes. “Dolly called me and said she wants to 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,” he said.
Seaver signed off with a string of the names Parton was known by to those closest to her: “Rest in Peace Aunt Dolly. Aunt Granny. Gigi. May God bless Dolly Parton and may God bless you all. She will always love you.”
In the viral moment that now takes on added poignancy, Parton had addressed fans by video in early August after canceling a planned appearance at her Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. She explained that her doctor had forbidden her from traveling due to ongoing health issues, telling viewers she was “dehydrated” and that “my little butterfly wings are getting kinda tired,” She added that her “Nashville doctor clipped my wings, saying you ain’t travelling this week. So I guess if your doctor tells you you ain’t travelling this week, you ain’t travelling this week.”
Parton had been candid about her health struggles in a social media post back in May. “I’m improving every day,” she wrote at the time. “Bad news is it’s gonna take me a little while before I’m up to stage performance level because some of the meds and treatments make me a little bit swimmy-headed, as my grandma used to say.” She joked about the practical challenges of performing while medicated: “Of course I can’t be dizzy, carrying around banjos, guitars and such on five-inch heels. And you know that I’m gonna be wearing them!”
Her team issued a formal statement following her death, describing “a rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see.” The statement emphasized that Parton “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.”
The statement continued: “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. Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact.”
Parton’s catalog of hits included “9 to 5,” “Jolene,” “Here You Come Again,” and “I Will Always Love You,” which she originally wrote as a farewell to Porter Wagoner after he helped her land a record deal. Whitney Houston’s cover of the latter for The Bodyguard soundtrack became a global phenomenon. Beyoncé covered “Jolene” on her 2024 album Cowboy Carter, introducing the 1974 classic to a new generation.