*The Queen of Country Music, Dolly Parton, dies peacefully in Nashville after a brief battle with cancer. She was 80.* *Country music icon passed away peacefully in Nashville after a brief battle with cancer*
NASHVILLE — Dolly Parton, who rose from humble beginnings to the greatest heights of American music and became one of the country's most philanthropic, unifying and beloved stars, died Tuesday in Nashville. She was 80.
The statement said Parton died "peacefully." A small, private service will be held for her close family. Parton died "after bravely facing a brief battle with cancer," her publicist Marcel Pariseau said.
With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.
The star had been open about various health issues in the last two years, and especially after her husband Carl Dean died in March 2025. Parton admitted the emotional toll of losing Dean — who died after 58 years of marriage — left her feeling "worn down and worn out."
Tributes poured in from musicians and politicians alike, and flags at the White House were lowered to half-staff in her honor on President Donald Trump's order.
In 2022, she donated an additional $1 million for pediatric infectious disease research, and in 2017 she also donated $1 million to a children's hospital's pediatric cancer program in honor of her niece, who was successfully treated for leukemia. Earlier this year, she further pledged to donate all net proceeds from the re-release of one of her hit songs to pediatric cancer research at Vanderbilt.
She is survived by her family and an enduring legacy that transcended country music to touch the hearts of millions worldwide.
