Music icon, singer and songwriter, Dolly Parton, has died at the age of 80.
Parton’s death was announced by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, in a video shared on her social media accounts on Tuesday. He said she died in Nashville, Tennessee.
Parton died at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville after a brief battle with cancer, according to a statement from her representatives.
Parton enjoyed a career spanning more than six decades and became one of the most successful figures in country music.
She was known for hit songs including “Jolene”, “9 to 5”, “I Will Always Love You” and “Coat of Many Colors”.
The singer sold more than 100 million records worldwide and won 11 Grammy Awards, alongside numerous other honours.
Beyond music, Parton established herself as an actress, businesswoman and philanthropist, appearing in films such as “9 to 5” and “Steel Magnolias”.
She also founded the Dollywood theme park in Tennessee and established the Imagination Library, a literacy initiative that has provided millions of books to children.
Parton was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and remained active in entertainment and philanthropy into her later years.
Her death came after she had spoken publicly about health challenges that affected some of her recent activities. She had cancelled a planned Las Vegas residency and missed some public appearances due to her health, although she continued working on several projects.
Parton rose from humble beginnings to become an internationally acclaimed entertainer whose influence extended beyond country music.
She is survived by her siblings and other family members.
