Dolly Parton, one of the most revered figures in country music history, has died aged 80. The news was confirmed by Parton's nephew, Bryan Seaver, via an Instagram video message.

Aside from being known as the legendary artist and songwriter behind country hits such as ‘9 to 5’ and ‘Jolene’, throughout her career Parton has become synonymous with her philanthropy. In 2020, Parton donated $1m towards COVID-19 research, which resulted in the Moderna vaccine, as well as founding the Imagination Library, a literacy program that helped provide 150 million books to children.

In the heartfelt video, which was recorded before Parton's death, Seaver, who was Parton's Head of Security, shares, “Hey everyone, my name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I'm representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my Aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean. Sister, sis, Aunt Granny to one generation, and Gigi to the next, this video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality.

“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. It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents, and countless others who have watched her and longed for her to meet them in the heavens. I first went on the road with Dolly as a kid, getting a taste of the road life in the early 1980s.

“Dolly opened doors, not just for me, but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn't even know was possible. Dolly also 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 goes on, “She never saw a door she couldn't open, and the doors she opened made and changed history. My family and I have shared a lifetime of beautiful memories with Dolly, but so have you. She has always been on your television, your record-player, your CD, and on your phone playlist, becoming an extended part of your family whether you liked it or not. Our family and the team she has entrusted with her legacy will work diligently to ensure her spirit will live with us forever.

“Dolly was a farmer, just like her Daddy. He farmed the soil, she farmed songs and happiness. 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 and have some rest. Rest in peace, Aunt Dolly. Aunt Granny. Gigi. May God bless Dolly Parton, and may God bless you all. She will always love you”.

Parton was born on January 19th, 1946 in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, with Parton the fourth of 12 children. She always credited her mother for first sharing traditional Appalachian folk and classic country songs with her, helping to instil a blossoming love of the genre. Her beloved song, ’Coat of Many Colors’, which Parton released in 1971, became a battle-cry for those who grew up in humble conditions, but refused to let this define them or make them feel less than anyone else.

This song, in a way, captures the spirit that has always underpinned Parton's music. She never shied away from singing about life's challenges and difficulties, but there was an underlying and comfortingly steady sense of hope beneath them all.

Parton's talent for performing and songwriting was evident from an early age, with the Tennessee native appearing on local TV at 10 years old, before creating her first record at 13. It was in this same year that Parton made her debut appearance at the Grand Ole Opry, where she'd become a member exactly ten years later.

Parton moved to Nashville in 1964 and decided to pour her efforts into establishing herself as a songwriter, before securing a record deal the following year. After a brief stint where her label tried to promote her as a pop artist, she convinced them to let her return to her country roots, releasing her debut album, Hello, I'm Dolly, in 1967. In 1966, she married Carl Dean, a marriage that lasted until his death.

Parton first gained significant fame in the late 1960's when she became a much-loved performer on The Porter Wagoner Show, before amassing her first major hits - such as ‘Jolene’ - the following decade. Over the subsequent decades, Parton would cement herself as one of the most influential figures in country music history, through now-ubiquitous songs like ‘I Will Always Love You’ - penned to Wagoner after their last show together - and ‘Islands in the Stream’ with Kenny Rogers.

Throughout her career, Parton won countless high-profile awards and accolades, with 11 GRAMMYs and 10 CMA Awards, as well as earning a place in both the Country Music Hall of Fame and - more recently - the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In honor of the latter, Parton released her final studio album, Rockstar, in 2024.

Tributes have already started flooding in from fellow artists, with plenty more sure to come for Parton. It's touching, but not unsurprising, that many of these are expressions of gratitude, especially from female country artists, for the doors that - as Seaver so eloquently reflects in his video - Parton was able to open within the genre.

Ashley McBryde has shared, “Dolly we thank you. For absolutely everything”, while Margo Price has commented under Seaver's video, “Earth shattering. Thank you for everything Dolly”. Jackson Dean, meanwhile, responds, “forever a legend. thank ye Dolly for everything you did for country music and Tennessee”.

Parton will of course be remembered for her inimitable contributions to country music. However, Parton's status as not only one of the most celebrated artists, but also one of the most universally beloved human beings in popular culture means she will also be fondly remembered for how she was off the stage, serving as a source of inspiration, optimism and joy, as well as being a role model to so many.

Through all the accolades, achievements and milestones, a crucial element of her legacy - as Seaver outlines - will be Parton's cri-de-coeur for the dreamers: ‘Anything is possible’.