Dolly Parton, who died today at age 80, went through “a brief battle with cancer,” according to a statement released Tuesday evening (Aug. 25) by her team. Parton died at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched,” read the statement simply signed Team Dolly. “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.”
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For more than 60 years, Parton has been one of country music’s leading lights and one of music’s most revered songwriters. Beloved around the world for not only her music — including such songs as “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You” and “Coat of Many Colors” — she also left a life filled with service, giving back in myriad ways. Parton, a member of both the Country Music Hall of Fame and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, placed 113 tunes on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart starting in 1967. Cumulatively, those songs spent more than 28 years on the chart.
“Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless others who had watched her and longed for her to meet them in the heavens,” Seaver said. “She never saw a door she couldn’t open and the doors she opened made and changed history.” Even in death, Parton displayed her trademark wit. Seavers added, “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.”
