Dolly Parton, one of America's most cherished musicians and philanthropists, has died at the age of 80. The country music icon passed away at her home in Nashville on Tuesday, local time, prompting an outpouring of grief and a deeply personal tribute from those closest to her. Her family and representatives have now released statements paying tribute to a woman whose seven-decade career touched lives across the globe.
Family Statement: 'Sadness Lies With Us, Not With Dolly'
Bryan Seaver, Dolly Parton's nephew and longtime head of security, delivered the family's statement in an emotional video posted to social media. Seaver, the son of Cassie Parton, said he was speaking on behalf of both the Parton and Owens families.
He revealed that the video announcement was something Parton had personally requested of him years ago — a responsibility he said he had long imagined but never truly felt the weight of until now.
"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 until now," Seaver said in the statement.
Seaver described the moment as "an honour mixed with absolute pride and great sadness," before adding that the sadness belonged to those left behind, not to Parton herself.
"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 said.
Parton's husband of 59 years, Carl Thomas Dean, predeceased her by just one year.
A Life That Opened Doors for Generations
Seaver reflected on his own childhood memories of travelling on the road with his aunt in the early 1980s, describing how Parton had opened doors not only for her family but for an entire world of artists and dreamers.
"Dolly opened doors not just for me, but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn't even know was possible," he said. "She never saw a door she couldn't open, and the doors she opened made and changed history."
He paid tribute to the way Parton had woven herself into the fabric of everyday life for fans around the world — through television, vinyl records, CDs, and streaming playlists — becoming, as he put it, "an extended part of your family whether you liked it or not."
In a touching final image, Seaver recalled Parton's own words about how she wished to rest: "Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest."
"Dolly was a farmer, just like her daddy — he farmed the soil, she farmed songs and happiness," Seaver added.
Official Statement Honours a 'Rhinestone Life'
A formal statement from Parton's representatives echoed the family's sentiments, celebrating the breadth and warmth of her legacy.
"A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth and kindness that made us all feel like family," the statement read.
"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."
Representatives confirmed that her team would work to ensure her spirit and legacy endure, with her songs expected to continue resonating with audiences of all ages for generations to come.
Parton rose from humble blue-collar beginnings to become one of the most celebrated figures in the history of American music — a songwriter, performer, and philanthropist whose influence stretched far beyond Nashville and across every continent.
