Dolly Parton heartbreakingly revealed she still had ‘so many things’ she wanted to achieve in one of her final interviews before her death aged 80.
The country music legend’s death was announced by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who shared an emotional video on her official Instagram account on behalf of the Parton and Owens family. The news sparked an outpouring of grief worldwide, from celebrities and fans alike.
Just days earlier, Parton had spoken candidly about the health struggles she had been facing following the death of her beloved husband Carl Dean in March 2025.
Despite admitting she was still ‘healin’’ the Jolene hitmaker remained characteristically determined to keep working and insisted she had no intention of slowing down.
‘I’ve dreamed myself into a corner and I still have so many things I want to achieve, so I’m gonna keep on working as long as I can to see everything come to life,’ she told People on Friday, August 21.
The poignant admission has taken on a heartbreaking new meaning following news of her death.
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Parton explained that she had neglected some of her own health concerns while caring for Dean, her husband of nearly 60 years, before his death aged 82.
‘As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,’ she said.
The 9 to 5 singer stressed that she had battled periods of ill health before, recalling being forced to take several months away from work in the early 1980s.
‘You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this,’ she continued.
‘Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health.’
Dolly Parton, an icon of music, film, philanthropy, wisecracks and rhinestones, has died at the age of 80.
The Queen of Country Music's death was announced on Tuesday August 25, prompting an outpouring of grief across the world.
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