US country music legend Dolly Parton has died aged 80, her family announced

She is the one of the most decorated female country artists of all time and is widely acknowledged to be the queen of country music. The music legend died at the age of 80, her family announced on Aug. The singer’s nephew announced her death on social media, saying, “Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus.”

US singer-songwriter, actress, businesswoman and philanthropist Dolly Parton died on Tuesday at the age of 80, her family said in a statement. The prolific songwriter released 49 studio albums, more than 100 compilation and collorabative albums, won 10 Grammys and 13 Academy of Country Music awards, and racked up 26 number one country hits during her six decades in the American music scene. The family of the US country music legend announced her passing on social media.

Dolly Parton's career spans more than half a century and includes a wide array of smash hits. Country music legend Dolly Parton, who wrote hit songs like Jolene and I Will Always Love You, has died aged 80, her family announced on social media. Parton crossed into pop with albums like 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs (1980), tied to her starring role in the film 9 to 5.

Her business acumen shone with the 1986 opening of Dollywood, a Tennessee theme park celebrating her Appalachian roots, now a major tourist draw. A prolific philanthropist, her Dollywood Foundation supports literacy, donating millions of books via Imagination Library. Parton died as one of the most-honoured female country performers of all time, with her many awards including 11 Grammys and three Emmys, as well as nominations for two Academy Awards, six Golden Globe Awards and a Tony Award.

She recorded 48 studio albums throughout her lifetime, with over 100 millions records sold worldwide. Dolly Parton’s career at a glance Long before she was known as the “Queen of Country”, Dolly Parton was born in 1946 in Sevierville, Tennessee. Raised in poverty, she began performing as a child, singing on local radio by the age of 10.

At 13, she recorded her first single, Puppy Love, and appeared at the Grand Ole Opry, a regular live country-music radio broadcast originating from Nashville, marking her early ambition. After moving to Nashville in 1964, she gained traction as a songwriter, with hits like Put It Off Until Tomorrow covered by others. Her breakthrough came with appearances on Porter Wagoner’s long-running musical variety show (1967–1974), boosting her visibility.