Dolly Parton dies at age 80

Beloved country star Dolly Parton died Tuesday at age 80.Her death was announced on her social media by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, who served as the family representative.“I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis, and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” Seaver said. “This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality. As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.” “It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness, but sadness lies with us, not with Dolly,” he added. “Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents, and countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens.”In May, the music legend canceled a planned Las Vegas residency, citing health concerns.FILE – Dolly Parton, left, and Kenny Rogers rehearse a song for their appearance on the TV show “Live… And in Person” in Los Angeles on Sept. 27, 1983. (AP Photo/Doug Pizac, File)FILE – Singer and Actress Dolly Parton shown at a party following the premiere of her movie ‘Nine to Five’ in Los Angeles, Dec. 12, 1980. (AP Photo/Harms, File)FILE – Dolly Parton poses at the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy Ceremony in New York, on Oct. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki, File)FILE – Dolly Parton appears at Dollywood’s Season Passholder and Media Day in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., March 8, 2024. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)FILE – Dolly Parton performs in concert in Tokyo, July 30, 1979. (AP Photo/Tsugufumi Matsumoto, File)FILE – Dolly Parton, center, stands on stage with Lily Tomlin, left, and Jane Fonda at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, Sept. 17, 2017. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)FILE – Dolly Parton poses for a photo at her office in Nashville, Tenn., Aug. 11, 2005. (AP Photo/John Russell, File) Parton is preceded in death by her husband, Carl Dean, who died last year. Parton and Dean’s marriage was largely kept private, but the couple were married for nearly 60 years. When announcing the cancellation of her Vegas shows, Parton said she was dealing with things she “didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl.” She is survived by five of her sisters, Willadeene, Stella, Cassie, Freida, and Rachel, as well as her brother, Bobby. Her five other brothers preceded her in death. She is also the godmother of pop superstar Miley Cyrus.From humble beginnings, Parton and her siblings grew up in a two-room cabin in Tennessee. Her childhood influenced much other discography, including songs such as “Tennessee Mountain Home,” “Daddy’s Working Boots,” as well as one of her first hits, “Coat of Many Colors.” A replica of the cabin she grew up in is a part of her popular theme park, Dollywood. Throughout her life, Parton won a plethora of awards for her songwriting and also stepped into the world of acting in movies such as “Steel Magnolias” and “9 to 5.” She is also recognized in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. For her work, Parton won an Emmy, 11 Grammy awards, 10 Country Music Association awards, seven Academy of Country Music awards, three American Music awards and earned two Academy Award nominations, as well as an honorary Oscar. Despite her passing, Parton has long hinted that her work may not be done. She has thousands of unrecorded songs and raw vocals, which she has left with the intention of being made into songs after her death. There is a time capsule at Dollywood with a secret song to be released in 2045. Parton also played a significant role in the philanthropic world, establishing the Imagination Library in 1995 which is intended to encourage children’s literacy. The library was inspired by her father, who never learned to read. She also donated to disaster relief funds, children’s hospitals, and even helped fund early research for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. President Donald Trump ordered the American Flag be lowered throughout the week in honor of the American icon. “Very sad to report that Dolly Parton, one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER, has just passed away,” Trump said. “This is a true loss for millions of people. There has never been anyone like her, and never will.”