Add Page Six on Google Dolly Parton emotionally requested that she be laid to rest in a “beautiful bed of plush cotton,” leading up to her heartbreaking death at the age of 80.
“After a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest,” her nephew and head of security, Bryan Seaver, said in an Instagram video, announcing her passing on Tuesday.
Seaver told viewers that it was “an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness” to share that Parton was no longer with us, but was “surely met” by her late husband, Carl Dean, her parents, Avie Lee Caroline and Robert Lee Parton Sr, and “countless others who have watched her and longed for her to meet them in the heavens.”
“Sadness lies with us, not with Dolly,” he continued.
Seaver praised Dolly’s legacy, explaining how she “opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers from every walk of life, and across every continent.”
“By her example, we believed that anything was possible,” he added. “She never saw a door she couldn’t open and the doors she opened made and changed history.”
Seaver pledged that he and his family “will work diligently to ensure her spirit will live with us forever,” signing off, “Rest in peace Aunt Dolly, Aunt Granny, Gigi. May God Bless Dolly Parton and may got bless you all. She will always love you.”
Dolly’s reps also confirmed her death, writing in a statement, “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.”
According to TMZ, the “I Will Always Love You” songstress was hospitalized with “kidney and autoimmune issues” at Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center on Thursday night, just five days before her death.
Additionally, her passing comes days after she gave a health update on Friday, telling People that she didn’t pay attention to her “issues” when she was watching over her husband, who died at the age of 82 in March 2025.
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Dolly was scheduled to appear at her beloved Tennessean theme park Dollywood on Aug. 14 but was ordered by a doctor not to travel.
“I’m supposed to be there in person, like we planned,” she said in a pre-recorded video. “Now I’ve told you before, all my fans, that I have had a few little health issues. And sometimes I get a little dizzy, and I get dehydrated.”
“And I’m dehydrated. And so my Nashville doctor clipped my wings, saying you ain’t traveling this week. So I guess if your doctor tells you you ain’t traveling this week, you ain’t traveling this week.”
The “9 to 5” singer has been open about her ongoing health issues since September 2025, when she pulled out of attending an event at Dollywood due to an infection.
Later that month, she pushed back her Las Vegas residency for a “few procedures.” She officially canceled the residency in May. However, Dolly reassured fans she was “doing really well.”
“[Doctors] assure me that everything I have is treatable, so I’m going with that,” she said in a video. “I just want you to know I thank you for standing by me and that I will always love you.”
Her last public appearance was at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop in late June.
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