Photos of the Country Icon Before She Died – Hollywood Life

Dolly Parton was a prominent figure in the music industry, with the support of her late husband, Carl Thomas Dean. See photos of the country singer.

Dolly Parton was a singer, actress, and philanthropist whose influence spanned seven decades before she died.

She grew up in Pittman Center, Tennessee, and was first singing on local radio and television as a child, appearing on The Cas Walker Show when she was just ten. She recorded music even as a teenager, and in 1967 released her debut album Hello, Dolly. Over her long career, she’s written more than 3,000 songs — many of which became country music standards, including “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You.” She’s earned 11 Grammy Awards, starred in hit films, and in 1999 was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. In November 2022, Dolly was also officially inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, joining an iconic class of fellow performers.

On March 3, 2025, the singer took to Instagram to announce the passing of her husband, Carl Thomas Dean. She wrote, “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.”  

Parton was also open about health concerns. In late September 2025, she announced she must postpone her planned Las Vegas residency to fall 2026, citing ongoing “health challenges” and the need for several medical procedures, humorously referring to it as a “100,000-mile check-up.” She also missed a Dollywood event after experiencing a kidney stone that led to an infection, explaining doctors advised her not to travel. Throughout it all, she reassured fans she was not retiring.

However, fans were heartbroken when her death was announced on August 25, 2026. She was 80.

Scroll through the gallery to see some of Dolly’s best moments from her life and career.

Click to Subscribe to Get Our Free HollywoodLife Daily Newsletter to get the hottest celeb news.