Dolly Parton, the country music icon whose songs, films and philanthropy made her one of the most recognizable figures in American popular culture, has died at 80.
The death was announced Tuesday by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, in a video posted on Parton’s social media accounts. Reuters and other international media reported her death, which came days after Parton had spoken publicly about health problems that had forced her to cancel appearances.
Born in rural Tennessee, Parton rose from poverty to become one of country music’s most influential performers and songwriters. Her best-known songs include “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You,” which became a global hit after Whitney Houston recorded it for The Bodyguard. Parton sold more than 100 million records and won 11 Grammy Awards.
Beyond music and film, she built a major philanthropic legacy through the Dollywood Foundation and its Imagination Library, which provides books to children. She also donated $1 million toward COVID-19 vaccine research.
