Nashville, Tennessee, 26 August (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Country music star Dolly Parton has died aged 80 following a brief battle with cancer, according to her representatives. The news that Dolly Parton dies brings to an end a career that made the Tennessee-born singer one of the world’s most recognisable entertainers.
A private illness before her death
Parton’s representatives described her illness as a brief battle with cancer but did not publicly disclose the type of cancer.
The singer had experienced health difficulties and reduced some public commitments before her death. However, she had continued to discuss creative projects and her work in the period leading up to her passing.
Her team paid tribute to Parton’s career and generosity, highlighting the many people reached through her charitable work as well as her music.
Six decades at the heart of country music
Born in Tennessee in 1946, Parton moved to Nashville after finishing school and built a career spanning more than six decades.
She became known internationally for songs including Jolene, 9 to 5, Coat of Many Colors and I Will Always Love You. Her work earned major industry honours, including Grammy Awards, and she was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Parton also established a successful film career, appearing in productions including 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias.
A legacy stretching beyond the stage
The announcement that Dolly Parton dies has also drawn attention to her extensive philanthropic work.
Her Imagination Library, founded in 1995, grew from a Tennessee literacy project into an international programme providing books to young children. The initiative expanded to communities outside the United States, including parts of the UK and Ireland.
Parton also supported medical research. In 2020, she donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for Covid-19 research, funding that contributed to work connected with development of the Moderna vaccine.
Tributes mark an extraordinary career
Tributes from across music and entertainment have followed Parton’s death, reflecting an influence that extended far beyond country music.
Her songs, performances, charitable programmes and business ventures made her a prominent figure in American popular culture for generations.
Further details about memorial arrangements are expected to come from Parton’s family or authorised representatives. No additional information about her cancer diagnosis has been publicly confirmed.
