The Tennessee-born singer and philanthropist passed away Tuesday in Nashville, and President Trump ordered flags lowered nationwide in her honor.
Dolly Parton has died. The country music icon, songwriter and Dollywood founder passed away Tuesday in Nashville at age 80.
Her family confirmed the news, and the country is mourning one of its most beloved entertainers.
A Voice From The Mountains
Parton grew up poor in the hills of East Tennessee, one of twelve children in a small cabin with no running water.
She turned that hardscrabble childhood into some of the most recognizable songs in American music, including “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.”
Her career spanned more than six decades and touched country music, film, television and Broadway.
Her nephew, Brian Seaver, who served as her head of security, announced her passing in a video posted to her official Instagram account. He said Dolly had asked him years earlier to be the one to share the news.
“It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness,” Seaver said.
“But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly.”
Her family released a statement calling her life:
“a rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see.”
They said she would:
“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.”
A message from the family of Dolly Parton. pic.twitter.com/9DNRgRx0uH
— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) August 25, 2026
Health Troubles In Her Final Months
Parton's health had reportedly declined in the year since her husband, Carl Dean, died in March 2025 after more than 60 years of marriage.
She had recently spoken about ongoing health struggles, including treatment tied to kidney stones.
Just days before her death, she gave an update to People magazine acknowledging she wasn't feeling well. Earlier in August, she had to cancel a planned appearance at Dollywood, writing that her doctor had :
“kinda clipped my wings, saying, ‘You ain't traveling this week.'”
Despite the setbacks, Parton stayed active in her work right up to the end.
She was closely involved this summer with the premiere of a new stage musical based on her life, and she had recently taken part in a traveling symphony concert built around her songs.
A Legacy Built On More Than Music
Parton's reach went far beyond the charts. She built Dollywood into one of Tennessee's biggest tourist draws and gave millions of children free books through her Imagination Library program.
She was known across the political spectrum for staying out of partisan fights, even as she occasionally sang about being tired of “greedy politicians” letting people down.
Her business success matched her cultural footprint. Forbes estimated her net worth at $450 million as of last year, built largely on her catalog of more than 3,000 songs and her stake in Dollywood.
Trump Orders Flags Lowered
President Trump announced Tuesday that he is directing American flags across the country to be lowered for one week in Parton's honor, starting at 6 p.m. In a public statement, Trump called her :
“one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER”
He said, “there has never been anyone like her, and never will.”
TRUMP: Reports Dolly Parton has died, calls her death a loss for millions and orders American flags lowered nationwide for one week starting at 6 p.m. tonight pic.twitter.com/BJvz2revK7
— Trump Truths (@trumptruthsbot) August 25, 2026
The gesture reflects how widely Parton was loved. Few entertainers in recent memory have drawn tributes from across such a broad range of American life, from rural Tennessee to Hollywood to the White House.
What Happens Next
Details about funeral arrangements had not been released as of Tuesday afternoon.
Dollywood and other Parton-affiliated ventures are expected to remain open, and tributes are already pouring in from musicians, actors and public officials nationwide.
Her stage musical and symphony tour, both already underway before her death, are likely to draw renewed attention in the weeks ahead.
Remembering Dolly
Nevadans who want to honor Parton's memory can revisit her music, support the causes she championed such as childhood literacy, or simply take a moment to appreciate a performer who never forgot where she came from.
Her story, from a one-room cabin in the Smoky Mountains to global stardom, remains one of the great only-in-America tales.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
