Country icon Dolly Parton looked upbeat in final photos taken just weeks before her death at 80

DOLLY Parton looked in good spirits in the final photos before her sudden passing after a months-long health battle. The 80-year-old country superstar died on Tuesday after suffering from a string of health issues in recent months. Dolly Parton’s final photos were taken at the grand opening of her new Tennessee truck stop Credit: NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Dolly looked upbeat at the ribbon-cutting ceremony in June Credit: NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Dolly worried fans at the event as she appeared to have trouble standing on her own and leaned on her team to balance her Credit: NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The country singer’s nephew, Brian Seaver, announced her death in a video message on Tuesday afternoon Credit: Instagram/dollyparton In photos shared just weeks before her shocking death, Dolly stood before a crowd at the unveiling of her new Tennessee truck stop. Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop officially opened in Cornersville in June, featuring a full-service sit-down cafe and restaurant, gas pumps, and Dolly-themed merchandise. Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter Thank you! The 9 to 5 hitmaker appeared all dolled up in her usual skintight, beaded attire, with high heels, and her blonde hair in an updo. However, fans expressed concern for Dolly, as she appeared to have trouble standing on her own and leaned on her team for support. Read More on Dolly Parton This came after Dolly canceled many public appearances due to her serious health decline. It comes as… Star looked upbeat in final photos taken just weeks before her death Khloe Kardashian and Kelly Osbourne lead emotional tributes to country legend Family statement in full as nephew confirms country music icon’s death Singer revealed ‘hard times with health’ just days before passing Heartbreaking last post looked forward to opening of her museum Trump pays tribute to one of the ‘greatest singers’ Star joked about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s future kids in heartbreaking last video post The multi-Grammy Award winner had been battling health problems since late last year, though she repeatedly assured fans that she would be back on stage soon. Most read in Entertainment Sadly, her condition worsened, and Dolly passed away, according to her nephew Bryan Seaver, who made the heartbreaking announcement on her Instagram on Tuesday afternoon. He revealed that Dolly had asked him years ago to announce her death via a video announcement. “Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life of wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest,” he added about the country artist’s final wishes. He did not reveal further information about how Dolly died. The Islands in the Stream singer had been interacting primarily with fans through social media videos while she focused on her medical issues. Last month, Dolly thanked Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce for their generous $2 million donation to her Imagination Library in a video message to the newlyweds. Dolly accepted the ACM Poet’s Award at the 19th ACM Honors on August 19th in Nashville via a video message Credit: Getty Dolly expressed gratitude to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce last month about their donation to her Imagination Library after she couldn’t attend their wedding Credit: Instagram / dollyparton Dolly had been battling a string of health issues over the last few months Credit: Getty Dolly had repeatedly assured fans that she would be back on stage soon Credit: Getty Dolly scored an invite to the star-studded New York City affair but couldn’t attend because of her health challenges. She appeared on-screen to accept the ACM Poet’s Award at the 19th ACM Honors in Nashville via a video message on August 19th. Most recently, Dolly spoke with People on Friday, admitting that she neglected her health while caring for her husband Carl Dean, who died last year. “I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” Dolly told the outlet about her husband of 60 years’ final days. Carl died last March at 82, after a six-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Dolly also lost her brother, Coy “Denver” Parton, last month at 82. He was the fifth of Dolly’s siblings to die, following her brothers Larry, David, Randy, and Floyd. The legendary performer first worried fans about her health after she postponed her Las Vegas residency late last year, leaving Tim McGraw to take her place. She eventually canceled her residency altogether, though she promised fans that she was “responding really well to meds and treatment.” Dolly previously said she was suffering from “a kidney stone” and an infection, which prevented her from traveling per doctors’ orders. Her condition led her to back out of numerous public appearances, including her 80th birthday celebration at the Grand Ole Opry in January. She also skipped a milestone event at her Dollywood amusement Park in Tennessee earlier this month, due to her health issues. Emotional tributes poured in online from celebrities offering their condolences, including President Donald Trump, Khloe Kardashian, and Kelly Osbourne. 10 comments10