Full story: Country legend dies aged 80 after a brief battle with cancer
Her death was announced by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, in an Instagram video posted Tuesday afternoon. The musician’s publicist confirmed Parton’s cancer diagnosis to the Associated Press later in the day, but did not give further details on her illness.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the statement from her reps to People magazine read.
“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.”
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Jacob Stolworthy & Kevin E G Perry26 August 2026 04:08
Dolly Parton hotel opens soon in Nashville – a Broadway musical will follow later this year
Parton’s legacy will continue to live on with her SongTeller Hotel, in the heart of downtown Nashville, opening soon, while a Broadway show will follow.
The hotel is located in the city’s vibrant entertainment and music district and is the late singer’s “love letter to the city,” the welcoming message from Parton on the hotel’s website says.
Meanwhile, the biographical show DOLLY: A True Original Musical comes to Broadway’s St. James Theatre later this year, with previews starting in December.
Ellie Muir26 August 2026 20:30
Barry Gibb: Dolly was ‘a gigantic talent’
Founding member of the Bee Gees, Barry Gibb, shared a tribute to Dolly Parton on Instagram.
“Dolly was next to me at the microphone and we were reminiscing about when we made ‘Islands in the Stream’ amongst other memories. She suddenly turned to me and said, ‘Where we are standing right now is where I wrote ‘Jolene’ and ‘I Will Always Love You’.’
“This is how I remember Dolly, a gigantic talent possessed by an artist who was unreachable. Her songs were the greatest and she was the greatest, no matter what, she will live on. Whenever she entered a room she sparkled and I believe she always will.
“I send my deepest love and regards to her family. We will all miss you Dolly.”
Caitlin Hornik26 August 2026 20:20
Dolly Parton was universally beloved
News of Dolly Parton’s death spread around the globe Tuesday prompting an outpouring of support from politicians and artists across aisles and genres. Parton was the ultimate equalizer.
Caitlin Hornik26 August 2026 20:15
Parton’s legacy is kept alive at Dollywood, theme park president says
Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton reflected on the future of the theme park in light of the singer’s death.
“I want to speak directly to you to make sure you realize she’s alive and well here,” he said. “I know a lot of people are concerned that things are going to change without Dolly being present here, and I want to assure you that it’s not.”
Dollywood, which has been named after Parton for 40 years, remained open today, just “as Dolly wanted,” the park said in a release yesterday.
Ellie Muir26 August 2026 19:50
Dolly Parton had already shared what song she wanted at her funeral
Dolly Parton revealed in a 2014 interview that the song she would want played at her funeral would be the gospel country song “If We Never Meet Again.”
Ellie Muir26 August 2026 19:32
Sylvester Stallone pays tribute to his ‘Rhinestone’ co-star
Sylvester Stallone, who costarred with Parton in the 1984 musical comedy Rhinestone, has paid tribute to the late star.
“I just heard that Dolly Parton passed away, and this strikes me very hard, because I felt she was a brilliant woman, so outgoing, so nice,” the actor began in a video shared on Instagram Wednesday.
Recalling their time filming together, Stallone said, “She would come onto the set and say, ‘Hi, y’all’ to every one of the crew members. Everyone loved her, and I don’t think people realize what a brilliant mind she had. She was just incredible. I used to call her ‘the Pioneer Woman’ that could do everything to survive. And she did.”
He remembered a time when they both mounted a horse and ended up falling off.
“Dolly’s going, ‘Are we falling?’ I go, ‘We are falling,’” he remembered. “This horse rolled all the way down. And we cascaded off of it and landed in the grass. And the horse rolled beside us. Oh my God, we would have been a couple of pancakes.”
Despite the fall, Parton’s reaction left Stallone smiling. “She got up laughing and goes, ‘Let’s do that again,’” he said.
Stallone ended the tribute, saying: “I miss you Dolly. I love you.”
Sylvester Stallone has shared a tribute to his ‘Rhinestone’ co-star Dolly Parton (Alamy/PA)
Ellie Muir26 August 2026 18:44
A closer look at Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus’s close bond
Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus had taken the stage together multiple times in recent years, and Miley had often credited the ‘9 to 5’ singer for championing her.
The pair were bonded when Billy Ray Cyrus asked Dolly if she would be the godmother to his newborn baby girl.
As Miley grew up – and graduated from Disney Channel star to a Grammy-winning recording artist – the two singers collaborated on multiple occasions, including when Parton made a cameo on Hannah Montana as the character Aunt Dolly.
Parton continued to make guest appearances on the show throughout its four seasons, including an episode in season two titled “I Will Always Loathe You” — a nod to Parton’s timeless song “I Will Always Love You.” In the episode, Miley dressed up like Parton, wearing a platinum blond mullet-style wig.
The pair performed a rendition of Parton’s “Jolene” together in 2012 at the 25th anniversary of Dollywood, and Miley would go on to call her godmother her role model.
In 2019, the duo sang “Jolene” together again onstage at the Grammy Awards, where they were joined by Kacey Musgraves and Katy Perry.
They also reunited in the recording studio for a reimagined rendition of Cyrus’s 2013 song “Wrecking Ball” for Parton’s 2023 album Rockstar, where the lyric “I will always want you,” was changed to “I will always love you.”
Miley Cyrus has paid tribute to her Aunt Dolly (Getty)
Ellie Muir26 August 2026 18:30
This was Dolly Parton’s biggest moment on the British stage. And it changed everything
Glastonbury’s Legends slot has become known for providing some of the most memorable moments in the festival’s history. But it wasn’t always this way.
For almost two decades, the Sunday afternoon spot had varying success. Until a certain five-foot-nothing southern trailblazer charmed the farm and raised the bar. Who? Dolly Parton, of course.
Read Rachel McGrath’s report on how Dolly Parton shaped the UK’s biggest festival here:
Ellie Muir26 August 2026 18:01
Miley Cyrus pays emotional tribute to her ‘angel’ godmother
“The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share. Our most sacred moments were private and they’ll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts,” Miley wrote.
“What I KNOW is Dolly would want me to feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong. I have an angel by my side. I always have. One of our last conversations was about music and metamorphosis.”
The post continued: “I will always love her and want to make her proud. My heart breaks for the world, her family and friends who will miss her deeply. We’re in this loss together and we will see her in all of the most beautiful things.”
The duo, who often took the stage together, are close family friends through Miley’s dad, Billy Ray Cyrus.
Dolly and Billy bonded when he joined her 1992 tour as an opening act to promote his song “Achy Breaky Heart.” It was during that period that Billy asked the “9 to 5” singer if she would be godmother to his newborn baby girl, Miley.
Dolly and Miley remained close as the latter graduated from Disney Channel star to becoming a Grammy-winning recording artist, and the two singers have collaborated on multiple occasions, including when Parton made a cameo on Hannah Montana as the character Aunt Dolly.
Miley Cyrus has shared an emotional tribute to her ‘Aunt Dolly’ (Getty)
Ellie Muir26 August 2026 17:52