Dolly Parton died after ‘a brief battle with cancer’
Source: Instagram
Country music legend Dolly Parton’s cause of death has been revealed, with a statement from the singer’s representative saying she faced a “brief battle with cancer”.
Parton’s family announced overnight that the irrepressible entertainer known for hits such as 9 To 5, I Will Always Love You and Jolene had passed away on Tuesday (US time) at the age of 80.
“Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by [late husband] Carl [Dean], her parents and countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens,” said a video shared by her nephew and security chief Brian Seaver.
He did not give a cause of death, but a statement later provided to media outlets by Parton’s representative Marcel Pariseau said she died at a cancer centre in Nashville.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched,” it said, adding that her “unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet”.
“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.”
Parton was reportedly admitted to the cancer centre on August 21. It is not known what type of cancer she had.
The 10-time Grammy winner had been open about her health challenges after being forced to cancel a number of appearances, including a planned residency at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas and a party at the Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry in January celebrating her 80th birthday.
Parton appeared upbeat in Instagram video messages where she shared her health updates. She said in May that some of the medication she was taking made her too “swimmy-headed” to perform live but she hoped to be “up to snuff again soon”.
In an interview with People just days before she died, however, the singer acknowledged she was dealing with health issues she “didn’t pay attention to” when she was watching over Dean, her late husband of nearly 59 years, who died last year.
Dolly Parton fans across Australia and the world have been paying tribute to the beloved entertainment icon – including music fanatic Anthony Albanese, who posted a photo on Instagram on Wednesday morning of the pair embracing and laughing.
The Prime Minister said Parton “made our world a better place in so many ways”, describing her as a singer and songwriter of rare power and talent who also “shone brightly” as an actor, author and philanthropist.
“There are a lot of broken hearts in Australia and across the world today,” Albanese posted.
“Wherever you are, turn your stereo or your phone to Dolly, then turn the volume up.”
Albanese was transport minister when he helped the singer “overcome a bit of red tape” so she could use her enormous tour bus during her 2011 visit Down Under after it was initially deemed too big for Australian roads.
The Prime Minister also got to meet Parton at one of her concerts.
“It was a magical experience meeting her, but what was even better was seeing her among her legions of local fans,” he said.
The City of Melbourne, which gave Parton the keys to the city in 1987, also shared a photo of the singer from the Victorian Performing Arts Centre Collection.
“Dolly Parton gave the world the keys to her heart through her songwriting, signature style and philanthropy – touching millions across the globe. Giving her the Keys to the City was the least we could do,” said a post on Instagram.
US President Donald Trump has described Parton’s death as a “true loss for millions of people” and declared flags in the US will fly at half-mast for a week to honour her.
New York’s Empire State Building honoured Parton and her legacy by turning a sparkly pink at 9.25pm (local time) – a nod to her song 9 to 5.
International stars who have paid tribute to Parton include her 9 to 5 movie co-star Jane Fonda, former Beatle Paul McCartney, singer Carole King, talkshow legend Oprah Winfrey, Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, and fellow country singers Keith Urban, Billy Ray Cyrus and Reba McEntire.
“I am devastated,” Fonda wrote in an Instagram post.
“I know that millions are mourning and I want to say this – more than anyone I have ever known, Dolly will always be with us because she was so present, so powerful, so generous and playful that she is woven into all our lives and hearts forever.”
Fonda said she had never known anyone like Parton: “She was simultaneously a naughty, playful southern gal from the hollows of Tennessee and a deep, soulful thinker who could see through people right down to their true selves.”
Winfrey said Parton was a girl from Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains who “dreamed a life and then lived a life bigger than she could have ever imagined, giving so generously to others”.
“No one like her. She brought the light, and we are all better because she was here.
“God bless you, Dolly – you earned your wings.”
–with PA
Want to see more stories from The New Daily in your Google search results?
- Click here to set The New Daily as a preferred source.
- Tick the box next to "The New Daily". That's it.
