Fans have praised Dolly Parton for a decision she made for young cancer patients months before her death, following the country legend's passing from the disease. Parton died aged 80, with her nephew Bryan Seaver announcing the news on Tuesday (August 25) evening via a video shared on Instagram.
Seaver said it was "an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness" to share the news of her death, adding: "But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens."
Final song release and charity donation
The singer, best known for hits including 9 To 5, I Will Always Love You and Jolene, died after a "brief battle with cancer". Parton had spoken about "hard times with my health" in her final interview before her death.
Fans have praised the singer for the release of one of her final songs, a re-recording of Light Of A Clear Blue Morning, which first featured on her first self-produced album, New Harvest... First Gathering, back in 1977. Parton re-released the song earlier this year to mark her 80th birthday, with Lainey Wilson, Miley Cyrus, Queen Latifah, and Reba McEntire joining her.
Proceeds to support paediatric cancer research
It was confirmed at the time that all proceeds from the track would be donated to support paediatric cancer research at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville.
Following her death, @MileyCyrusBz commented on X (formerly Twitter): "It was revealed that Dolly Parton was secretly battling cancer but she didn't say anything and instead released this song as one of her last to raise funds for children with cancer. Even while she was sick she was still thinking about others. I’m absolutely devastated."
