Dolly Parton’s representatives have confirmed what caused the country music legend’s death at the age of 80.
Parton died after a brief battle with cancer.
Her publicist, Marcel Pariseau, said she died at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville on Tuesday, 25 August, surrounded by loved ones.
“After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” Pariseau said.
Her representatives have not disclosed the type of cancer.
New details emerge after Dolly Parton’s death
The confirmation comes after Parton’s family announced her death on Tuesday.
At the time, the cause of death had not been disclosed.
Parton had, however, spoken openly about experiencing health problems in the months before her death.
Days before she died, she said she had neglected some of her own health issues while caring for her husband, Carl Dean, before his death in March 2025.
Despite her health challenges, the singer remained focused on her work and future projects.
Private service planned for family
Parton’s family has also confirmed that her immediate relatives will hold a small, private service at her request.
No public funeral or memorial service has been announced.
Instead of sending flowers, the family has asked fans who want to honour Parton to donate to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the literacy programme she founded in 1995.
The programme provides free books to children and became one of the defining parts of Parton’s philanthropic work.
Tributes have continued to pour in following her death.
US President Donald Trump has also ordered American flags to be lowered for a week in Parton’s honour.
Parton leaves behind a career spanning nearly six decades and a catalogue that made her one of the most recognisable figures in country music.