Country music star Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80. Her family announced the death in a video posted to her official social media accounts on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
Danish public broadcaster DR opened a live blog on the death Tuesday evening, reporting in a piece by culture reporter Maja Lærke Maach that the American singer had died at 80. Per DR, the news came from a statement issued by Parton’s family on social media.
According to CNN, Parton died peacefully at her residence in Nashville, Tennessee. The announcement was delivered by her nephew and head of security, Bryan Seaver, speaking on behalf of the Parton and Owens family.
The video was published on Parton’s verified accounts and presented as a message from her family. As reported by USA Today, Seaver said in the recording that Parton had asked him years earlier to be the one to announce her death publicly.
No cause of death released
The New York Times notes that the family did not provide a cause of death, stating only that she died peacefully. Variety reports the same, and Forbes has referred to health issues Parton mentioned in an earlier interview without linking them to her death.
In the statement carried by NPR, the family described Parton as an internationally recognized icon and philanthropist. The family said her legacy of love, compassion and resilience would continue to inspire future generations.
CNN reports that a small, private memorial service is planned for her immediate family, with no broader public commemorations detailed so far. According to the Washington Times, the family has asked for donations to Parton’s Imagination Library in lieu of flowers.
Reuters described Parton as the queen of country music and pointed to her decades of influence in both music and business. The news agency attributed the death notice to the family statement and confirmed that no cause was specified.
Parton was born Dolly Rebecca Parton on January 19, 1946, according to an obituary published by The Guardian, which gives her age at death as 80. BBC News ran live coverage describing her as a country music icon and philanthropist, and collected international reaction through the day.
DR’s live blog said further updates would follow as reaction came in. The broadcaster carried the story in its culture and music sections, where Parton’s death was the lead item Tuesday evening Danish time.
