SAD NEW: Dolly Parton’s sister Stella breaks down as she reveals heartbreaking final details after music icon’s tragic de@th at 80
Dolly Parton’s cause of de@th revealed after ‘brief’ health battle
Parton’s team has revealed more on her health struggles following the music icon’s de@th on Tuesday, aged 80
Dolly Parton (Image: Getty)
Dolly Parton passed away after being diagnosed with c@ncer, representatives for the country music titan have confirmed.
In a statement issued to PEOPLE on Tuesday (August 25), Parton’s team confirmed the country star’s de@th at age 80 came after a “brief battle with c@ncer”.
The type of c@ncer has not been disclosed at this time.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched,” the statement read.
“Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand. Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact.”
The statement ended on: “After bravely facing a brief battle with c@ncer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.”
Parton passed away on Tuesday, with her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced the shock news to the rest of the world in a sad social media that same day.
Parton was admitted to a Nashville-area hospital on Friday (August 21), as per PEOPLE, where she d!ed four days later.
A mere four days before her de@th, the all American songstress spoke of her recent health decline in another interview with 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 [my husband] 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,” she said.
She continued: “But, I think because we live in a 24/7 world with social media, everything gets magnified in ways it wasn’t years ago. I used to joke that I was the Queen of the Tabloids, but now I guess I can say I’m the Queen of Social Media AI! Seriously, though, even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’! You know me — as I’ve often said — I’ve dreamed myself into a corner and I still have so many things I want to achieve, so I’m gonna keep on working as long as I can to see everything come to life.”
In lieu of flowers, her family has asked for donations to be made to Parton’s beloved Imagination Library early childhood literacy initiative.
Parton was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2022 (Image: Getty)
The one-woman tour de force that was Dolly Parton will be remembered for being many things – a singer, songwriter, businesswoman, theme park owner, mother, philanthropist and more – but she is best known for writing a number of legendary hit songs, including her track Jolene and a little-known ditty called I Will Always Love You.
The latter became one of the defining love songs of the 20th century – as a goodbye to her former creative partner Porter Wagoner, who hired her to be his sidekick on The Porter Wagoner Show and helped her land a record deal. The song became a blockbuster hit when Whitney Houston recorded a cover for the 1992 film The Bodyguard.
Parton’s own film career began in 1980 when she starred in 9 To 5 with Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda. The theme song for the movie became her first number one single on the Hot 100 chart in the US.
Her 1973 track Jolene is widely considered to be one of country music’s greatest songs of all time.
Her PR team summarised the country music legend’s life brilliantly with a brief tribute and statement on Tuesday. It reads: “Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience. With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.”
It ended on: “Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact.”
