"Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of soft cotton. Because after wearing rhinestones her whole life, she finally deserves to be comfortable and get some rest," Parton's nephew and security chief Bryan Seaver said in the clip on
, where the death notice is given.
She will always love you, he concludes.
Parton died surrounded by her loved ones after a short battle with cancer, several media outlets reported, citing her team.
The star has been canceling concerts since last fall due to her health. She has spoken publicly about her health on social media on several occasions and announced in September 2025 that she would undergo surgery, without giving any further details.
“Pioneer and legend”
"We are devastated. She was a pioneer and legend. One of the world's best songwriters who inspired us endlessly," said Klara and Johanna Söderberg from First Aid Kit in a text message to TT.
Jill Johnson tells SVT that Dolly Parton was her biggest idol.
She is the role model who also changed the playing field for women in country, with her independence and her choice to own her songs.
Artist Nina Persson appeared in the Swedish documentary film "I am my own Dolly Parton" in 2011.
When I discovered her, it was like my love for country music reached a whole new level, Persson tells SVT.
The film also featured music producer Gudrun Hauksdottir.
The songs will be her legacy. But also that she was so incredibly odd. She had those long nails and yet she was such a good guitarist, she tells TT.
“Ability to unite”
Music journalist Andres Lokko met and interviewed Parton in 2011.
She was one of the most charming people in pop history, he tells TT.
He describes Dolly Parton as an “incomparable communicator,” with an ability to compose sentimental pop melodies with lyrics that spoke directly to listeners.
She was underestimated for a very long time, says Lokko.
Colleague Jan Gradvall:
She has written some of the best American songs of all time.
Dolly Parton opened a door between country and pop, both Lokko and Gradvall emphasize.
It is very difficult to imagine an artist like Taylor Swift without Dolly Parton, says Jan Gradvall.
She had a unique ability to unite, not least in her polarized homeland where she visited homes of both Republicans and Democrats, among heterosexual cowboys and at gay clubs, says Jan Gradvall.
I can't think of any other artist who went home to all camps as much as she did.
The husband passed away
The country icon, who turned 80 in January, has not toured since 2016. Her husband of 60 years, Carl Dean, died in March 2025 after a long illness, and Parton has been open about the loss taking a toll on her.
US President Donald Trump has decided that flags will be flown at half-staff across the country for a week.
