Multiple Grammy awards-winning country singer and Hollywood actress Dolly Parton has died at 80 in Nashville, her nephew Bryan Seaver announced in an Instagram post on Tuesday.
Mr Seaver did not provide cause of death but said she would be dearly missed.
“I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now,” Ms Parton’s nephew. “It is an honour, an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness,” Mr Seaver said.
The music idol, philanthropist, guitarist and actress was born on January 19, 1946, in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, U.S.
She was famous for her sonorous voice and relatable hit-songs such as “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colours,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You” that got a new life after Whitney Houston sang it in 1992 movie “The Bodyguard.” Houston’s version would later become the bestselling song of all time by a female artiste.
The country singer wrote over 5000 songs, of which 1000 were recorded and released in more than 50 studio albums, 27 of the albums reached gold and platinum level having hit over 100 million sales worldwide.