Dolly Parton death: Country music legend revealed ‘hard times’ with health in final interview before death

Dolly Parton opened up about the “hard times” she had endured with her health in what would become her final interview, published just days before the country music legend died aged 80.

The beloved singer spoke candidly about her health and determination to keep working in an interview with People published on August 21, revealing she was still “healin’” after putting some of her own medical concerns aside while caring for her late husband, Carl Thomas Dean.

“It’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health,” she said.

Parton also acknowledged the intense speculation that had surrounded her health in recent years, joking about how quickly rumours could spread online.

“But I think because we live in a 24/7 world with social media, everything gets magnified in ways it wasn’t years ago. I used to joke that I was the Queen of the Tabloids, but now I guess I can say I’m the Queen of Social Media AI! Seriously, though, even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’.”

The “Jolene” singer explained some of the health problems she was dealing with were issues she had previously neglected while caring for Dean, her husband of nearly six decades, before his death at age 82 in March 2025.

“I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” she explained.

Despite her health struggles, Parton had no intention of stepping away from her music.

She acknowledged touring looked different for her in her later years, revealing she and her team had been exploring technology that could allow fans to experience “avatar performances”.

Parton’s final public appearance came virtually just a week before her death, when she appeared on screen on August 19 to accept the ACM Poet’s Award at the ACM Honors.

It is unclear when the video was recorded.

“I just want to send a very special thank you to the Academy of Country Music for honouring me with the Poet’s Award,” Parton said in a video message shared via Instagram.

“You know, I’ve been able to do many things throughout my life, but at my core, songwriting has always been the most important part of who I am creatively.”

Parton, who appeared seated and wearing a long-sleeved cream top, reflected on the role songwriting had played throughout her extraordinary career.

“Every dream I ever had, and all the dreams that I’ve been able to see come true in life, well, they all started with a song. Songwriting has been my therapy,” she continued.

“Songwriting has been my release, my joy. Songwriting has been a gift from God that has allowed me to touch people with words and music.”

News of Parton’s death was announced by her nephew Brian Seaver on behalf of the family in a social media video on Wednesday.

Seaver said making the announcement fulfilled a request Parton had made years earlier.

“My name is Brin 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 and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” Seaver said.

“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 honour, an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly.”

The family later revealed that Parton had left instructions for a small farewell attended only by those closest to her.

“At Dolly’s request, a small, private service will be held for immediate family,” the statement said.

Instead of sending flowers, mourners have been encouraged to donate to Parton’s Imagination Library, the literacy program she founded which distributes millions of books to children around the world each month.