Country music legend Dolly Parton has died aged 80.

The singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist died peacefully in Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday, US time, her family announced.

No cause of death has been disclosed.

Her death was announced in a video shared on social media by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, at Parton’s request.

“By her example, we believed anything was possible,” Seaver said.

“She never saw a door she couldn’t open, and the doors she opened made and changed history.”

A tribute posted to Parton’s social media page described her as a global icon and humanitarian whose wit, warmth and kindness made people around the world feel like family.

“A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth and kindness,” the statement said.

It described Parton’s legacy as one of “love, compassion and resilience”.

Born Dolly Rebecca Parton on January 19, 1946, she grew up as one of 12 children in a one-room cabin in the mountains of East Tennessee.

Her childhood, faith and family would later inspire some of her most enduring songs, including “Coat of Many Colors”.

Parton began performing as a child, singing on local radio by the age of 11 and appearing at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry at 13.

After finishing high school, she moved to Nashville and began building a career that would span seven decades.

She first found national fame alongside country singer Porter Wagoner before establishing herself as a solo artist with songs including “Jolene”, “9 to 5”, “Here You Come Again” and “I Will Always Love You”.

The latter, written by Parton as a farewell to Wagoner, became an international phenomenon when Whitney Houston recorded it for the 1992 film The Bodyguard.

Parton sold more than 100 million records, achieved 25 number-one singles on the Billboard country chart and won 11 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Her influence reached far beyond country music.

She starred alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the 1980 film 9 to 5, earning an Academy Award nomination for its title song. Her other films included Steel Magnolias, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Rhinestone.

Parton was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.

Away from entertainment, she became equally admired for her humanitarian work.

She founded Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in 1995 in honour of her father, who could not read or write. The programme grew from her home county in Tennessee into an international literacy initiative, delivering free books to millions of young children.

She also supported education, medical research and disaster relief, and donated US$1 million towards research that helped develop the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine.

Parton’s business ventures included the Dollywood theme park in Tennessee, which became one of the state’s biggest tourist attractions and a major employer in the region where she grew up.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Carl Thomas Dean, who died in 2025, and her parents, Avie Lee Caroline Owens and Robert Lee Parton Sr.

At Parton’s request, a small private service will be held for her immediate family.

Fans and friends have been encouraged to share tributes through her social media accounts or leave a message at dollyparton.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

“Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact,” the family’s statement said.