Music legend Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80 after a brief battle with cancer, according to US media reports.
Parton’s representatives confirmed her death following an announcement by her family on Tuesday. Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, paid tribute to the singer in a social media video, saying she had “opened doors for generations” of singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers.
The family did not initially disclose her cause of death, but US media reported that Parton had been undergoing cancer treatment. People reported that she was admitted to a cancer treatment facility on Friday.
Parton had acknowledged health concerns in a recent interview and, in May, cancelled a series of Las Vegas concerts. At the time, she said treatment for an unspecified illness was going well but that she was not ready to return to the stage.
Born into poverty in Tennessee, Parton became one of the most influential figures in country music after moving to Nashville shortly after graduating from high school.
She rose to national prominence in the 1960s after joining Porter Wagoner’s syndicated country music television programme.
Her six-decade career produced thousands of songs, including “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” “Coat of Many Colours” and “I Will Always Love You,” the latter of which became a global hit for Whitney Houston.
Parton released dozens of studio albums and more than 100 compilation and collaboration albums, earning widespread recognition as the “Queen of Country Music.”
Beyond music, she built a successful career as an actress, philanthropist and businesswoman, becoming a major figure in American popular culture.
Her husband, Carl Dean, died in 2025.
US President Donald Trump ordered American flags to be flown at half-staff across the country for a week in honour of Parton, describing her death as a loss for millions of people.