Country music icon Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80, her family announced on Tuesday, August 25.
Her family confirmed her death in a statement and in a post shared on her official Instagram account. An official cause of death has not been released.
Parton spent more than six decades as a singer, songwriter and actress, leaving an indelible mark on global music. She created timeless songs including Jolene, 9 to 5 and I Will Always Love You, sending dozens of songs and albums to the top of the American charts.
She wrote I Will Always Love You as a farewell to her long-time collaborator Porter Wagoner. The song achieved global fame a second time when Whitney Houston recorded it for the movie The Bodyguard.
Beyond her music career, Parton established herself on the big screen by starring in hit films such as 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias.
Early life and music career
Dolly Rebecca Parton was born on January 19, 1946, in Tennessee, growing up as one of 12 children in a poor family. She began singing and writing music at a very young age.
By the time she was 13, she had already performed at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, the famous stage show that serves as a cornerstone of country music. After graduating from school, she moved to Nashville to pursue her musical ambitions full time.
Parton became famous for her striking image, including her impressive blonde hair, rhinestones and eccentric costumes. Beneath that signature look was one of the most prolific songwriters of her generation, authoring hundreds of songs and building a career that extended far beyond traditional country music boundaries.
Philanthropy and global legacy
Alongside her entertainment career, Parton made significant contributions to charitable causes. Through the Imagination Library, a literacy initiative she created to foster a love of reading in young people, millions of free books have been distributed to children across multiple countries.
In 2020, she donated 1 million dollars to Vanderbilt University, a research institution in Nashville, to support Covid-19 research. Her contribution helped fund the scientific effort to develop a vaccine during the global pandemic.
Parton leaves behind an immense musical, cultural and social legacy. Her songs continue to move millions of listeners around the world long after they were first written.
