Dolly Parton, country superstar and gay icon, dies aged 80
Dolly Parton (Getty)
Dolly Parton (Image: Getty)
Dolly Parton has died aged 80, with her family saying she “died peacefully today in Nashville.” The news was shared in an Instagram video announcement posted to Parton’s official account.
In the video, Parton’s nephew Brian Seaver identified himself as speaking on behalf of the family, saying: “My name is Brian 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,” and adding: “This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality.”
Parton publicly discussed health challenges in September 2025 when postponing a planned Las Vegas residency, writing: “As many of you know, I have been dealing with some health challenges, and my doctors tell me that I must have a few procedures.” More recently, she cancelled shows in May 2026, as she told fans while giving an update.
A career that reshaped music
After graduating high school in 1964, Parton moved to Nashville to pursue her career. She joined The Porter Wagoner Show in 1967, and in 1974 wrote “I Will Always Love You” after ending her professional association with Wagoner. In 2022, she was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Her catalogue included “Jolene”, “9 to 5”, “Coat of Many Colors” and “Here You Come Again”, with “I Will Always Love You” later becoming a global smash for Whitney Houston.
Why Dolly Parton mattered to queer fans
Parton was a long-standing gay icon, embraced across drag, Pride events and queer nightlife for her camp glamour, humour and warmth. Many described her as a “gay icon” whose “campy aesthetic and consistent positivity” resonated with LGBTQ+ fans, and she was also a public supporter of the LGBTQ community who advocated for marriage equality and defended transgender people.
Her LGBTQ+ allyship has been widely celebrated, including by us at PinkNews, who took a look back at times she spoke up for LGBTQ+ rights when the singer turned 80 earlier this year.
Parton was also known for philanthropy, including the Imagination Library, which has donated more than 150m books to children.
