The world is mourning the loss of a cultural icon.
Dolly Parton, the beloved, groundbreaking country music singer, actor and philanthropist, died Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 80. The award-winning "Jolene" singer's death was confirmed in a social media video, in which her nephew, Bryan Seaver, delivered an on-camera statement. He said Parton asked 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."
Parton'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, with Taylor Swift reflecting that a "world without Dolly doesn't feel possible, real, or right." 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.
How did Dolly Parton die? Cause of death
Parton's representatives confirmed to The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network, that she was battling cancer before her death.
The singer's representatives described her battle with cancer as brief. They did not disclose what kind of cancer she had.
"Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched," a statement shared by Parton's representatives said.
"Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand. Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly's unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones."
When did Dolly Parton die?
She died Tuesday, Aug. 25, at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville after being hospitalized there Aug. 21.
Dolly Parton health challenges came before her death
Parton's cancer diagnosis had not been publicly known prior to her death, but she had shared that she was facing health challenges over the past year. Throughout these challenges, Parton released a series of videos in which she repeatedly urged fans not to worry about her.
In September, Parton postponed a series of Las Vegas concerts for health reasons, and she later explained that she had "some problems" to take care of with herself. Parton told fans that she "didn't take care of" herself and "let a lot of things go that I should have been taking care of" when her husband, Carl Dean, died in 2025.
In May, Parton said in an update that her immune and digestive systems were "all out of whack" but that doctors were "working real hard on rebuilding and strengthening those." Eleven days before her death, the singer missed a planned public appearance after her doctor told her not to travel because she was "dizzy" and "dehydrated."
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."
Contributing: Liza Esquibias, USA TODAY; Bryan West, The Nashville Tennessean
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dolly Parton dead at 80 after cancer battle: Live updates
