Dolly Parton, the beloved country music icon whose career spanned more than six decades, died Tuesday in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 80. Her family announced her death on social media, with her nephew Bryan Seaver delivering the news in a video posted to her Instagram page. Seaver, who served as Parton's head of security for more than two decades, a role his father Larry held before him, said the announcement was something Parton had asked of him years ago. He described her as having "lived in the light" and being "in the arms of Jesus."

A Legacy of Music and Philanthropy

Parton's death marks the end of a career that made her one of the most recognisable figures in American entertainment. From country classics like "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You" to the pop success of "9 to 5," she achieved global fame while maintaining deep roots in her rural Tennessee upbringing. She wrote her first song, "Little Tiny Tasseltop," at age six, a piece her mother stored in a shoebox. Over her career, she won 11 Grammy awards and earned 52 nominations, the second-most among women, according to reports. She also received two Oscar nominations and six Golden Globe nominations. Her albums sold over 100 million records worldwide.

Beyond music, Parton was known for her philanthropy. She built Dollywood into a major tourism destination and founded the Imagination Library, a literacy program that has provided hundreds of millions of free books to children. In 2020, she donated $1 million to vaccine research at Vanderbilt University. In 2021, she declined a proposed statue in Nashville, a decision some reports noted.

Her family released a statement describing her legacy as "one of love, compassion, and resilience," and her songs, they said, "will continue to resonate with people of all ages." The cause of death was not revealed, but her team said she died peacefully. A small, private service for immediate family will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations be made to Imagination Library.

Tributes from the Entertainment World

News of Parton's death prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the entertainment industry. Kacey Musgraves, who performed with Parton at the 2019 Grammy Awards, wrote on X: "The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden," and expressed relief that Parton was with her husband, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025. "So glad she's with her Carl Dean," Musgraves added. "No one talk to me today."

Reba McEntire, a fellow country legend, wrote that Parton had "passed onto the higher and greater side," thanking her for "all the wonderful things you did for us here on earth." She added, "There will never ever be another you."

Other tributes came from Jamie Lee Curtis, who called Parton "a great example for us all," and Seth MacFarlane, who said the "world is a dimmer place today without her." Dionne Warwick wrote that she would miss Parton's "laugher, jokes and her being," while Kelsea Ballerini called her "East Tennessee angel." Keith Urban shared that he was "Heartbroken today," and Julia Roberts, who starred with Parton in "Steel Magnolias," said "The sun has dimmed today." Khloe Kardashian wrote "There will never be another Dolly," and Kristen Chenoweth said she was "heartbroken" and felt Parton made her "feel like one of her own."

Lily Tomlin, Parton's "9 to 5" co-star, shared a black-and-white photo of the pair with the caption "No words." Jack White wrote simply, "Instant Sainthood." The Country Music Hall of Fame posted a tribute saying Parton's legacy was "not celebrity, but humanity," describing her as "a champion of equality and literacy."

Presidential Tribute and National Mourning

President Donald Trump paid tribute to Parton on Truth Social, calling her "one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER." He announced that American flags would be flown at half-staff for one week beginning at 6:00 PM in her honor. "This is a true loss for millions of people," Trump wrote. "There has never been anyone like her, and never will."

As fans and fellow artists shared memories online, the breadth of Parton's appeal became evident—a rare figure whose warmth and talent resonated across generations, genres, and political lines.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.