New Details: Dolly Parton Was Hospitalized Four Days Before Her Death
Additional details are emerging about the death of Dolly Parton, who passed away at age 80.
Parton’s family announced her death through a video posted to her Instagram account. Her nephew, Brian Seaver, spoke on behalf of the Parton and Owens families and shared the news with fans.
“My name is Brian 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.
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The family did not release a cause of death. However, Parton had reportedly been dealing with several health problems. Those issues included kidney stones and related infections.
The health concerns came after the March 2025 death of her husband, Carl Thomas Dean. Dean was 82 when he passed away. Parton had been caring for him, and the report says her own health problems may have received less attention during that time.
TMZ reported that Parton was admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville early Friday morning. The outlet said the hospitalization involved kidney and autoimmune issues.
That admission reportedly came just four days before her death. TMZ also reported that Parton died at the hospital on Tuesday morning.
The timing reportedly caught members of her family off guard. Her death was described as a “sudden and unexpected shock” to those close to her.
Parton had also publicly acknowledged that her health had declined. In an interview with PEOPLE on the same day she was hospitalized, she discussed health problems she had not addressed while focused on her husband.
“I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” she said on Friday.
No official cause of death has been released. The available details point to a difficult final period for the beloved singer and entertainer, who had recently been dealing with serious medical concerns after the loss of her husband.
Parton and Dean were married for decades. Now, according to the report, the couple will be laid to rest apart from the public spotlight that followed so much of their lives.