Country music icon Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80, her family announced on August 25. Her nephew Bryan Seaver shared the news of her passing in a video message released at her request.
Seaver, who served as Parton's head of security after his father retired from the position, explained that his aunt had asked him years ago to break the news when the time came. He described delivering the announcement as an honor mixed with absolute pride and great sadness.
In the video message, Seaver expressed the deep sadness felt by her relatives while reflecting on her spiritual journey. "Sadness lies with us, not with Dolly," Seaver said. "Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus."
Seaver added that Parton was "surely met" by her late husband Carl Thomas Dean, her parents, and "countless others who have watched her and longed for her to meet them in the heavens."
Family tribute and legacy
Speaking on behalf of the family, Seaver highlighted the profound impact the "Jolene" singer had on her relatives and millions of fans worldwide. He noted that the love her family feels for her is like a butterfly, and that they will continue to remember her as soft and gentle as a sigh.
"Dolly opened doors not just for me, but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn't even know was possible," Seaver said. "Dolly also opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians, and dreamers from every walk of life and across every continent."
Seaver emphasized her role as an inspiration to others, adding, "By her example, we believed that anything was possible. She never saw a door she couldn't open, and the doors she opened made and changed history."
Addressing fans of the Queen of Country, Seaver acknowledged how Parton became a constant presence in public life through her music and television appearances. "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," he said.
Seaver assured supporters that Parton's family and the team entrusted with her legacy will work diligently to ensure her spirit lives on forever. "My family and I have shared a lifetime of beautiful memories with Dolly, but so have you," he noted.
Final wishes and burial request
Seaver also offered insight into Parton's personal vision for her burial and how she wished to be laid to eternal rest. He recalled a conversation in which the beloved artist shared her simple final request.
"Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton," Seaver said, "because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest."
Seaver closed his announcement with a final message of comfort for grieving supporters across the world: "She will always love you."
Decades in the spotlight
Born in Tennessee, Dolly Parton rose from humble beginnings in rural Appalachia to become one of the most successful and enduring figures in popular music history. Over a career spanning more than six decades, the singer and songwriter built a vast entertainment empire while remaining a global cultural icon.
Her career in entertainment gained momentum in the 1950s and 1960s, expanding into mainstream film roles by the 1980s. She starred in classic hit movies including 9 to 5 in 1980, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas in 1982, and Steel Magnolias in 1989, alongside numerous television appearances throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
Following the announcement, Parton's family urged fans to embrace their special memories of the country music legend, promising that her team will preserve her enduring musical and cultural legacy for future generations.
