SAD NEWS: Dolly Parton’s sister Stella reveals the music icon’s HEARTBREAKING final wish to her fans as millions are left in tears
Dolly Parton’s final wish ‘to be buried in plush cotton’ shared in heartbreaking message
Dolly Parton’s family shared a heartbreaking message with fans after the country music legend’s de@th at the age of 80, revealing her final wish
American country singer-songwriter Dolly Parton in London, 1983. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images) (Image: Michael Putland, Getty Images)
Dolly Parton’s final wish has been revealed in a heartbreaking message from her family following her passing at the age of 80.
The country music icon’s de@th was confirmed via an Instagram post on Tuesday, August 25, when her nephew Bryan Seaver addressed fans on the family’s behalf to share the devastating news. During the video, Bryan also detailed how Dolly had voiced one specific request for after her de@th.
He said: “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 til now.”
It comes as Dolly Parton’s heartbreaking last ten-word statement before her de@th has been revealed,
Dolly also expressed another wish, as Bryan disclosed: “Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life of wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.”
Dolly Parton announced Carl’s de@th with a heartfelt statement. (Image: Dolly Parton)
Bryan’s touching tribute to Dolly added: “Hey, everyone. My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean. Sister, Sis, Aunt Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next.
“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.”
He paid homage to Dolly’s extraordinary career and lasting legacy, continuing: “I first went on the road with Dolly as a kid, getting the taste of the road life in the early 1980s. Dolly opened doors, not just for me, but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn’t even know was possible.
American Country and Western singer Dolly Parton, poses for a portrait in London, England, November 1, 1978. (Photo by TPLP/Getty Images) (Image: Soxphotos, Getty Images)
“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.”
He added: “My family and I have shared a lifetime of beautiful memories with Dolly. But so have you. She has always been on your television, your record player, your CD, and on your phone playlist, becoming an extended part of your family whether you liked it or not.”
Dolly’s de@th occurred just four days after a health update in which she disclosed her condition had deteriorated following the de@th of her husband of 60 years, Carl Dean, in March 2025. She told People: “As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl. You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this.
“Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health.”
UNITED STATES – AUGUST 01: American singer Dolly Parton, August 1978.(Photo by Richard E. Aaron/Redferns) (Image: Richard E. Aaron, Redfernsvia Getty Images)
Just weeks prior, on July 23, Dolly’s brother, Coy “Denver” Parton, also passed away, with the legendary singer reported to be devastated by the loss of her sibling.
This follows the recent revelation of Dolly Parton’s net worth at the time of her de@th.
