Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Country music superstar Dolly Parton has died, according a post on her social media. She was 80 years old. According to the post, Parton died peacefully in Nashville, Tennessee, on Aug. 25. #news #asheville #dollyparton
Parton's death was first announced just before 2 p.m. Tuesday in a video message from her nephew, Bryan Seaver.
"This video announcement is something Dolly had asked from me years ago before I fully absorbed it as a future reality," Seaver said. "I've imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven't truly felt it until now."
Seaver described the announcement as "an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness."
Dollywood, Parton's eastern Tennessee theme park, confirmed in a statement that its "Dreamer-in-Chief" had died. A spokesperson for the theme park said Parton's wish was for Dollywood to remain a place of joy where families and friends could honor her memory.
Soon after the world learned of her death, fans shared their love of her on social media and also in west Asheville at a special mural. The mural, created by artist Gus Cutty, depicts Dolly Parton and RuPaul and is on the side of the building that houses Beauty Parade off Haywood Road.
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WLOS ABC 13 News serves the Asheville, NC area and the rest of western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. We keep our audience informed through local news, weather forecasts, traffic updates, notices of community events, sports and entertainment programming since 1954.
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Country music superstar Dolly Parton has died, according a post on her social media. She was 80 years old. According to the post, Parton died peacefully in Nashville, Tennessee, on Aug. 25. #news #asheville #dollyparton
Parton's death was first announced just before 2 p.m. Tuesday in a video message from her nephew, Bryan Seaver.
"This video announcement is something Dolly had asked from me years ago before I fully absorbed it as a future reality," Seaver said. "I've imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven't truly felt it until now."
Seaver described the announcement as "an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness."
Dollywood, Parton's eastern Tennessee theme park, confirmed in a statement that its "Dreamer-in-Chief" had died. A spokesperson for the theme park said Parton's wish was for Dollywood to remain a place of joy where families and friends could honor her memory.
Soon after the world learned of her death, fans shared their love of her on social media and also in west Asheville at a special mural. The mural, created by artist Gus Cutty, depicts Dolly Parton and RuPaul and is on the side of the building that houses Beauty Parade off Haywood Road.
_______________
Follow WLOS on social media:
WLOS ABC 13 News on Facebook: facebook.com/News13
WLOS ABC 13 News on X: https://x.com/WLOS_13
WLOS ABC 13 News on Instagram: instagram.com/wlos_13
Subscribe to WLOS on YouTube: youtube.com/user/ABC13Channel/?sub_confirmation=1
For all of the day’s top local and national news, visit wlos.com
Stream our newscasts LIVE: wlos.com/watch
Have a news tip? Send it directly to us:
Email us: news@wlos.com
Call the Newsroom: 828.684.1340
--
WLOS ABC 13 News serves the Asheville, NC area and the rest of western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. We keep our audience informed through local news, weather forecasts, traffic updates, notices of community events, sports and entertainment programming since 1954.
This video and all Sinclair Broadcast Group content archives of local news and sports coverage are available for your use. For more information contact us at contentsales@sbgtv.com
