Dolly Parton, the legendary country music singer, songwriter and actress whose career stretched across more than six decades, has died at 80. Her head of security announced her death Tuesday on Instagram, and TMZ reports she died at a Nashville hospital.
Parton was admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center early Friday morning with kidney and autoimmune issues, according to TMZ. She died at the hospital Tuesday morning.
The cause of death has not been disclosed.
The news comes days after Parton acknowledged that she had been dealing with health problems. Speaking to PEOPLE on Friday, she said she had been facing health issues that she had previously paid less attention to while caring for her late husband, Carl Dean.
“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” Parton said.
She also said she had been through difficult periods with her health and continued working while recovering.
Parton’s health struggles had become increasingly public in recent months. She canceled a September Las Vegas residency earlier this year after previously postponing the shows in 2025. Earlier this month, she also abruptly canceled a scheduled Dollywood appearance after her doctor advised her not to travel while she dealt with dehydration and occasional dizziness.
Parton had previously discussed immune system and digestive issues, kidney stones and complications from her medications.
The country icon’s death also follows the loss of Dean, her husband of 58 years, who died in March 2025. The couple never had children.
Despite the health setbacks, Parton’s legacy was already firmly established. She sold more than 100 million records worldwide and became one of the best-selling artists in music history, with signature songs including “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.”
Her influence extended well beyond country music. Parton starred in films including “9 to 5” and “Steel Magnolias,” while her work earned her an Oscar nomination for the title song from “9 to 5.”
She also built a major philanthropic legacy through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which has provided millions of books to children around the world.
From her childhood in Tennessee to becoming one of the world’s most recognizable entertainers, Parton’s career became a rare combination of music, Hollywood, business and philanthropy.
Dolly Parton leaves behind a six-decade-plus body of work that made her one of the most enduring figures in American entertainment. She was 80.
