08/25/2026 – Dolly Parton, the legendary singer, songwriter, actress, businesswoman and philanthropist whose unmistakable voice and personality made her one of the most beloved figures in American entertainment, has died at the age of 80.
Born January 19, 1946, in the mountains of East Tennessee, Parton grew up as one of 12 children in a family with little money but plenty of music. She would go on to build a career spanning more than six decades and become one of country music’s most recognizable and influential stars.
Parton wrote thousands of songs during her lifetime, including classics such as “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.” Her success crossed far beyond country music, earning her generations of fans and numerous honors, including Grammy Awards and induction into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
She also found success on the big screen, appearing in films including 9 to 5, Steel Magnolias and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Her business ventures included Dollywood, the Tennessee theme park that became one of the region’s biggest tourist destinations and employers.
But Parton’s legacy extended well beyond entertainment.
In 1995, she founded Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a literacy program that has provided hundreds of millions of free books to young children. She also quietly donated millions of dollars throughout her life to education, disaster relief, medical research and other causes.
Parton lost her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, in March 2025. The famously private couple married in 1966, just two years after Parton arrived in Nashville to pursue her dreams.
From a small cabin in the Smoky Mountains to stages around the world, Dolly Parton built a remarkable life while never seeming to lose the humor, kindness and Tennessee roots that endeared her to millions.
Her songs will live on, but so will something much larger — a legacy of generosity, laughter and a belief that where you co
