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Dolly Parton's family shares her final message amid news of her death
Shows Good Morning America ShopGMA Interest Successfully Added We'll notify you here with news about Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Off On Stream on Family Dolly Parton's family shares her final message amid news of her death The life and legacy of Dolly Parton Amy Harris/Invision via AP, FILE By Yi-Jin Yu August 25, 2026, 4:12 PM Dolly Parton's family is sharing her final message.
"I will always love you," reads a message from Parton, shared on her official Instagram account and in a video message from her nephew Bryan Seaver.
Seaver announced the death of his "aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean," the country music legend, philanthropist and entrepreneur, at the age of 80 on Tuesday.
"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," Seaver said.
Seaver reflected on his beloved aunt's impact on their family, saying she created opportunities and supported those behind her and coming up alongside her.
"Dolly opened doors not just for me, but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn't even know was possible," he said. "Dolly also opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians, and dreamers from every walk of life and across every continent. By her example, we believed that anything was possible. She never saw a door she couldn't open, and the doors she opened made and changed history."
Seaver said her family members plan on carrying on Parton's expansive legacy "to ensure her spirit will live with us forever."
The family said they will hold a private funeral for Parton, per her request, but encouraged her countless friends and fans to share any tributes they wish on social media "by tagging @DollyParton or by leaving a message at www.dollyparton.com."
"Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest," Seaver recalled. "Rest in peace, Aunt Dolly, and Granny, Gigi. May God bless Dolly Parton, and may God bless you all. She will always love you."
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