Fans are continuing to remember Dolly Parton's extraordinary life and legacy.
The trailblazing country singer, actress and philanthropist died Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 80, spurring a global outpouring of love, recollections, and even musical tributes from fellow musicians. Harry Styles and John Mayer have honored Parton through music, while Buckingham Palace also paid tribute to the country icon.
The "Jolene" singer's death was confirmed by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who delivered the news via video announcement on social media, which his late aunt requested him to do so "years ago."
"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 said. "It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness."
The Queen of Country's representatives have since shared additional information about the singer's cause of death and plans for her memorial service, as emotional tributes pour in that underline just how beloved she was. Politicians, former costars, fellow singers and more have shared their grief in a series of moving statements. President Donald Trump, calling Parton's death a "true loss for millions of people," ordered American flags to be lowered for one week.
Here's everything you need to know.
What was Dolly Parton's cause of death?
Parton died after battling a brief battle with cancer, her representatives confirmed to USA TODAY on Aug, 25.
Her diagnosis was not publicly revealed, though the singer had previously opened up about health struggles since 2025. In October, Parton spoke candidly in a video message released after her sister publicly raised concerns, asking fans to pray for the singer.
At the time, Parton said she was doing "OK" but had "some problems" to deal with and was undergoing "a few treatments."
"Back when my husband, Carl, was very sick, that was for a long time, and then when he passed, I didn't take care of myself," Parton said. "So I let a lot of things go that I should have been taking care of. So anyway, when I got around to it, the doctor said, 'We need to take care of this. We need to take care of that.'"
When did Dolly Parton die?
Parton died on Tuesday, Aug. 25, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Dolly Parton, husband Carl Dean private relationship: Inside their love story
Parton met Carl Thomas Dean in 1964, when she was 18 years old and had just moved to Nashville to begin her country music career. Dean, then 21, approached the soon-to-be superstar outside the Wishy Washy Laundromat. Two years later, in 1966, they tied the knot in Georgia in secret because the legendary musician's record label didn't want her to get married.
"My first thought was 'I'm gonna marry that girl.' My second thought was, 'Lord, she's good lookin,'" Dean recalled in 2016 after the couple renewed their vows for their 50th wedding anniversary. "And that was the day my life began. I wouldn't trade the last 50 years for nothing on this earth."
Parton's death came 16 months after the loss of Dean, who died in March 2025 at age 82.
"Carl and I spent many wonderful years together," Parton shared on her social media channels at the time. "Words can't do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy."
The couple married in 1966 and had no children.
John Mayer, Harry Styles and more musicians honor Dolly Parton
Before closing out his Aug. 26 performance a in the Hamptons, Mayer and his band delivered an interlude with the melody of Parton's 1974 ballad "I Will Always Love You."
That same night, while performing at Madison Square Garden for his Together, Together Tour, Styles moved the crowd to tears with a heartfelt remembrance of the late musical icon, whom he said "inspired" him.
"I want to say a proper thank-you to all the musicians over the years that've inspired me. Dolly, we love you, thank you so much," the "Watermelon Sugar" crooner said to an audience of cheering fans as "I Will Always Love You" began to play.
Cher remembers Dolly Parton and their 50-year friendship
Cher was overcome with emotion reflecting on her 50-year friendship with Parton following the news of her death while speaking with CBS News on Aug. 25 about the first time they met.
"I walked in, and I see this chick with this major hair, white pants and white, not exactly a shirt but a jacket-y shirt, and I looked up, and she had buttons on, not the lapel, but you know the part that goes down your chest – a yoke, a yoke. I looked at it, and I thought, 'Oh my God, I’ve never seen so many buttons in my life,'" the "Believe" singer recalled of her walking in on Parton working with her manager, Sandy Gallin.
"I said, Sandy, 'Who is that girl?' And he said, 'You know what, Cher, you’re gonna love her and she's gonna love you.' And it was the truth, and we did."
Cher said she loved Parton's "spirit" most. "She just had a spirit, and it was a spirit that was always thinking the best was happening, the best was gonna happen. Her friends loved her. Her life was good. That's who she was."
Buckingham Palace Dolly Parton tribute: Watch
The Band of the Coldstream Guards paid tribute to Parton with a performance of "9 to 5" at Buckingham Palace, the central headquarters of the monarchy in London, during the regular Changing the Guard ceremony.
Though King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla were not in residence amid their summer break, the royal family's social media accounts shared footage of the performance, with a tribute to Parton.
"Remembering the late, great Dolly, who brought joy, comfort and inspiration to so many - including the millions of children given free books through her Imagination Library," read the caption. "We will always ❤️ you."
Parton has a bit of history with the British royals. She met Queen Elizabeth II in 1977 at an event in Glasgow, Scotland, celebrating the monarch's Silver Jubilee, which marked 25 years on the British throne. She later told the Glasgow Times that her management had kept it a secret that she would be performing for the queen during her time in the United Kingdom.
What we know about Dolly Parton's funeral
A small, private memorial service for Parton will be held for immediate family, "at Dolly's request," according to her representative. The singer's nephew, Bryan Seaver, confirmed to TMZ that she will be buried at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville, where her late husband, Carl Dean, is also buried.
In a 2014 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Parton said she wanted the song "If We Never Meet Again" to be sung at her funeral. "It's an old country-gospel church song that talks about if we never meet again this side of heaven, I will meet you on that beautiful shore. 'Where the charming roses bloom forever and where separations come no more.' That was my daddy's favorite. We did sing it at his funeral, and I would like it to be sung at mine."
Where was Dolly Parton born? Did she have siblings?
Parton was born in Pittman Center, Tennessee, in 1946.
She had 11 siblings during her life, six of whom are still living. She was the fourth oldest of six brothers and six sisters: Her older siblings were Willadeene, David and Coy, and her younger siblings were Bobby (Robert Jr.), Stella, Cassie, Randy, Larry, Floyd, Freida and Rachel.
Parton's death was announced by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who is the son of the singer's sister Cassie Parton.
Contributing: Brendan Morrow, Amy Haneline, Liza Esquibias, Anthony Robledo, Taijuan Moorman, Edward Segarra, Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY; Bryan West, The Nashville Tennessean; Devarrick Turner, The Knoxville Sentinel
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dolly Parton dead at 80 as Cher, Harry Styles, Buckingham Palace pay tribute
