Days before her passing, American music legend Dolly Parton shared her plans to continue working on her craft despite dealing with health struggles.
In an interview with PEOPLE magazine, Dolly revealed that she had been dealing with health issues that she initially neglected while caring for her husband, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025
“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,” the singer said.
“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 added.
Despite her health struggles, Dolly remained focused on the projects she still wanted to accomplish.
“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.” she expressed.
At the time, Dolly was also preparing for the debut of a new museum celebrating her life and career in Nashville. According to PEOPLE, she was also working on a new way to give her fans a musical experience, with her team collaborating with companies that create avatar performances.
However, just days after sharing her health update, Dolly's family announced her passing.
“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 and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he said.
Bryan, who served as Dolly’s head of security for more than two decades following his father’s role, said he had long known that he would one day have to deliver the difficult message.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he added.
Despite the grief, Bryan found comfort in believing that Dolly was now at peace and reunited with Carl and other loved ones who had gone before her. He also reflected on the lasting impact Dolly had on their family and generations of artists, musicians and dreamers around the world.
“Dolly opened doors not just for me but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn’t even know was possible. Dolly also opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers from every walk of life and across every continent,” he stated.
“By her example, we believed that anything is possible. She never saw a door she couldn’t open, and the doors she opened made and changed history.”
Dolly's team later confirmed that she died following a brief battle with cancer at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, surrounded by loved ones.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the statement read
“After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.”
Dolly Parton was one of the most celebrated figures in American country music, earning 11 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999 and received the Living Legend medal from the Library of Congress in 2004. She was also honored with the Kennedy Center Honors in 2006 and inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
She was known for timeless hits including “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You,” among many others.