(Gray News) – Country music legend Dolly Parton opened up about “hard times” with her health days before she died.
In the country music icon’s final interview on Aug. 21, she told People about “dealing with some health issues,” which forced her to cancel an appearance at her Dollywood theme park the previous week.
The 80-year-old singer added that her most recent health struggles stemmed from “not paying attention” to herself while watching over her late husband, Carl Thomas Dean, who died in March 2025 at age 82.
Dolly Parton is seen during a press conference for “Threads: My Songs in Symphony” on Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)(Amy Harris | Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Four days after her final interview, her nephew, Bryan Seaver, revealed the news of her death in a Facebook video.
“It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly,” Seaver said.
He spoke highly of his aunt, explaining that she opened doors for everyone around her.
In November 2025, the country music legend spoke to People about the legacy she wished to leave behind.
“I’m at that point in my life where I just want to be able to do good things that can be carried on,” she said. “I’m proud of my legacy so far, and I hope to just continue to do things that might be of use to other people.”
She continued, “I ain’t got time to get old! I ain’t got time to dwell on that. That’s not what I’m thinking about.”
At this time, her cause of death has not been revealed.
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