Dolly Parton dead at 80. Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus pay tribute

This page reflects the news related to the death of Dolly Parton from Wednesday, Aug. 26. For the latest updates, read USA TODAY's live coverage for Thursday, Aug. 27.

The world is mourning the loss of a cultural icon.

Dolly Parton, the beloved, groundbreaking country music singer, actor and philanthropist, died Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 80. The award-winning "Jolene" singer's death was confirmed in a social media video, in which her nephew, Bryan Seaver, delivered an on-camera statement. He said Parton asked him to do so "years ago."

"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. "It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness."

Parton's representatives have since shared additional information about the singer's cause of death and plans for her memorial service, as emotional tributes pour in that underline just how beloved she was. Politicians, former costars, fellow singers and more have shared their grief in a series of moving statements. President Donald Trump, calling Parton's death a "true loss for millions of people," ordered American flags to be lowered for one week.

Here's everything you need to know.

Dolly Parton had 'roadmap' for upcoming projects in place before her death

Before her death, Parton had a "multitude of projects" in development, a statement from her team said on Aug. 26. Her longtime manager, Danny Nozell, noted the singer continued to work on them up until she died.

"Ever the planner, Dolly worked with the team that she handpicked, for the past several years to build a project roadmap that will guide us for decades to come," Nozell said. "As the leader of the team responsible for overseeing her legacy, we will ensure the many dreams she had yet to fulfill are brought to life."

Any "music, products, books, experiences, and campaigns" that will be released in the future are things that Parton "placed her personal stamp" on, her manager added. These projects include a museum, a line of dog treats, and a Broadway musical, as well as a biopic, a docuseries, a scripted series and more.

Miley Cyrus pays tribute to Dolly Parton: 'I have an angel by my side'

Miley Cyrus is mourning the loss of her godmother Dolly Parton.

In an Instagram post on Aug. 26, Cyrus, 33, wrote that the "feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share," adding that the "most sacred moments" they shared together will remain private.

"What I KNOW is Dolly would want me to feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong," the Grammy winner wrote. "I have an angel by my side. I always have. One of our last conversations was about music and metamorphosis."

Cyrus concluded, "I will always love her and want to make her proud. My heart breaks for the world, her family and friends who will miss her deeply. We’re in this loss together and we will see her in all of the most beautiful things."

Dolly Parton's cause of death: Singer battled cancer in final days

Parton's representatives confirmed to The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network, that she was battling cancer before her death.

The singer's representatives described her battle with cancer as brief. They did not disclose what kind of cancer she had.

"Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched," a statement shared by Parton's representatives said.

"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. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones."

Push to rename Nashville airport for Dolly Parton grows

A petition calling for Nashville International Airport to be renamed in honor of Dolly Parton has surged to nearly 90,000 signatures following the country legend's death, adding more than 30,000 supporters in the past 24 hours.

The campaign has also gained some high-profile backing. Singer Sheryl Crow publicly endorsed the effort, while Tennessee state Rep. Todd Warner said he plans to introduce legislation that would rename BNA as Dolly Parton International Airport.

When did Dolly Parton die?

She died Tuesday, Aug. 25, at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville after being hospitalized there Aug. 21.

Dolly Parton health challenges came before her death

Parton's cancer diagnosis had not been publicly known prior to her death, but she had shared that she was facing health challenges over the past year. Throughout these challenges, Parton released a series of videos in which she repeatedly urged fans not to worry about her.

In September, Parton postponed a series of Las Vegas concerts for health reasons, and she later explained that she had "some problems" to take care of with herself. Parton told fans that she "didn't take care of" herself and "let a lot of things go that I should have been taking care of" when her husband, Carl Dean, died in 2025.

In May, Parton said in an update that her immune and digestive systems were "all out of whack" but that doctors were "working real hard on rebuilding and strengthening those." Eleven days before her death, the singer missed a planned public appearance after her doctor told her not to travel because she was "dizzy" and "dehydrated."

Taylor Swift remembers Dolly Parton: 'Her legacy will be an everlasting one'

In a statement shared with USA TODAY, Taylor Swift delivered a moving tribute to Parton, writing, "A world without Dolly doesn't feel possible, real, or right. But because of the eternally generous way she spent her time on this earth and the countless lives she changed for the better, her legacy will be an everlasting one."

Swift continued that Parton was the "gift that kept on giving" and "was true grace and true grit, all in one dazzling person," also thanking the country music icon for "the tightropes she walked so that young girls like me could grow up dreaming of joining the circus too."

What we know about Dolly Parton's funeral

A small, private memorial service for Parton will be held for immediate family, "at Dolly's request," according to her representative. The singer's nephew, Bryan Seaver, confirmed to TMZ that she will be buried at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville, where her late husband, Carl Dean, is also buried.

In a 2014 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Parton said she wanted the song "If We Never Meet Again" to be sung at her funeral. "It's an old country-gospel church song that talks about if we never meet again this side of heaven, I will meet you on that beautiful shore. 'Where the charming roses bloom forever and where separations come no more.' That was my daddy’s favorite. We did sing it at his funeral, and I would like it to be sung at mine."

Dolly Parton, Carl Dean Georgia wedding: Inside the 1966 nuptials

Parton's death came 16 months after the loss of her husband Carl Dean, who died in March 2025 at age 82.

Parton and Dean had been married for almost 60 years: The pair tied the knot in Georgia in 1966. She later told People she got married in Georgia, rather than her home state of Tennessee, to avoid media attention.

"We got married in Georgia so it wouldn't be in the Tennessee papers and so my producer at the time wouldn't find out," Parton told People. In a previous interview with Local 3 News, she said the ceremony was held at Ringgold Baptist Church. "It was just the pastor and his wife with a witness and my mother and Carl and I, and we took momma back to the bus station in Chattanooga so she could ride on back to Knoxville," she said.

Where was Dolly Parton born? Did she have siblings?

Parton was born in Pittman Center, Tennessee, in 1946.

She had 11 siblings during her life, six of whom are still living. She was the fourth oldest of six brothers and six sisters: Her older siblings were Willadeene, David and Coy, and her younger siblings were Bobby (Robert Jr.), Stella, Cassie, Randy, Larry, Floyd, Freida and Rachel.

Parton's death was announced by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who is the son of the singer's sister Cassie Parton.

How to sign up for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

Parton's family has asked for donations to be made to the Imagination Library, which gifts free books to children from birth to age 5, in lieu of flowers. Parton launched the Imagination Library in 1995.

Further information about Imagination Library and how you can check availability in your area is available on the program's website. You can also make a donation on the site.

Contributing: Liza Esquibias, Anthony Robledo, Taijuan Moorman, Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY; Bryan West, The Nashville Tennessean