RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Hollywood & Entertainment Dolly Parton, Country Music Icon And Philanthropist, Dies At Age 80 By Jeff Benjamin ,
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Jeff Benjamin is a New York-based writer covering global pop music. Follow Author Aug 25, 2026, 02:15pm EDT Aug 25, 2026, 03:16pm EDT --:-- / --:-- This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . Summary Legendary artist Dolly Parton has died at age 80, her passing announced by nephew Brian Seaver on Instagram, fulfilling a long-held request. Seaver shared that Parton's health had declined since her husband Carl Dean's death in March 2025. Parton leaves an unparalleled legacy as a singer, songwriter, actor, author, and philanthropist. Her vast empire included a $450 million net worth, over 3,000 songs, and the successful Dollywood theme park. A dedicated humanitarian, she donated $1 million for COVID research and received $100 million from Jeff Bezos for charity. With 11 Grammys and a humanitarian Oscar, her impact on music and philanthropy is immeasurable. No cause of death was revealed at press time. She was 80.
Legendary singer, songwriter, producer, actor, author and philanthropist Dolly Parton died at age 80.
Her nephew, Brian Seaver, shared the news on Dolly Parton’s official social media (below) as a family representative with the message “A message from the family of Dolly Parton” used across the legendary singer’s accounts that include millions of fans.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked me of years ago before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” Seaver said in the video. “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. 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 for her to meet them in the heavens.”
Parton had previously shared an update on her health just last Friday, August 21, acknowledging a recent decline after the March 2025 death of her husband, Carl Dean, referenced by Seaver above.
The video continued with the full message from Seaver:
Watch the full video announcement below:
With Forbes estimating Dolly Parton’s net worth at $450 million as of June 3, 2025, she ranked No. 78 on the 2025 list of America’s Richest Self-Made Women . She is best known for her songwriting and country hits, with more than 3,000 songs in a catalog Forbes estimates is worth about $120 million. Forbes also notes that a large share of Parton’s fortune comes from her stake in her theme park, Dollywood.
Parton is also a published author whose recent works include Run, Rose, Run (a 2023 novel written with James Patterson that shares its name with her 2022 album) and the children’s book, Billy the Kid Makes it Big (also published in 2023).
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Parton donated $1 million towards research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and encouraged those who can afford it to make similar donations. In 2022, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos awarded Parton $100 million as part of the Courage and Civility Award to give away to her choice of charitable causes. Her Dollywood Foundation manages several projects that bring education and poverty relief to East Tennessee, where she was raised.
Parton has 11 Grammy Awards, three Emmy Awards, as well as nominations for two Academy Awards and a Tony Award. She received a humanitarian honorary Oscar in 2025.
A cause of death was not revealed at press time.
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