Dolly Parton, the singer and “Queen of Country" icon with a personality as bold as her signature blond coif and rhinestone-encrusted outfits, has died. She was 80 years old.
Parton's death on Aug. 25 was announced in a video message from her family on her social media pages and confirmed to USA TODAY.
"This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality," Bryan Seaver, Parton's nephew, said in the video.
"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. It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness."
Seaver continued, "Dolly has lived
in the light, and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by (her husband) Carl, her parents, and countless others who have watched her and longed for her to meet them in the heavens."
Throughout her 60-year-career, Parton painted her twang-laced soprano voice on hits-turned-classics such as “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You,” “9 to 5” and “Coat of Many Colors.” Her 49 studio albums earned 25 No. 1 hits on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, the most of any female country artist, and spanned every decade from "Joshua" in 1971 to "Tyrant" with Beyoncé in 2024.
In addition to a legendary music career that earned 11 Grammy Awards (including Lifetime Achievement recognition), Parton starred or made cameo appearances in more than 20 films including her 1980 debut "9 to 5," with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" with Burt Reynolds (1982) and "Steel Magnolias" with Sally Field and Shirley MacLaine (1989).
"She never saw a door she couldn't open, and the doors she opened made and changed history," Seaver said. "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."
Seaver added that Parton's requested to be laid to rest "in a beautiful bed of plush cotton, because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest."
He continued, "Rest in peace, Aunt Dolly, Aunt Granny, Gigi. May God bless Dolly Parton, and may God bless you all. She will always love you."
A private memorial service will be held for immediate family, according to Parton's rep. Fans who would like to pay tribute are encouraged to tag @DollyParton on socials or leave a message at dollyparton.com. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at imaginationlibrary.com.
Arianna Otero covers breaking news for the Palm Beach Post. Contact her via email at AOtero@pbpost.com and follow her on X: @ari_v_otero.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: What's your favorite Dolly Parton song? Music defined her 80 years
