Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80, with her family announcing the news on August 25 through a video message from her nephew on social media. Just two months before her death, the Queen of country music made her final public appearance at the opening of Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop in Cornersville.
Final Public Appearance at Travel Stop Opening
The star appeared upbeat and in her usual glamorous style, complete with blonde curls and a tasselled outfit. She used a pair of giant scissors to open the stop and spoke about how proud she was to open the store.
“Well, the doors are open and I could not be prouder. Whether you are hauling loads, hauling the family, or just passing through, we built this place for you,” Parton said.
Jokes and Virtual Appearances
She was also her usual comical self, joking: “I’m sure some of you want to know why I wanted a truck stop.” She explained: “Well, I couldn’t leave it to beavers.”
The star also made several virtual appearances in the months before her death. She appeared via a pre-recorded video on August 19 as she accepted the ACM Poet's Award onstage during the 19th ACM Honors at The Pinnacle in Nashville. She also appeared onscreen during "Dolly Parton's Threads: My Songs In Symphony" Premiere at Schermerhorn Symphony Center on June 16, and through video to present an award at The BRIT Awards 2026 at Co-op Live on February 28.
Final Video and Museum Promotion
In a final video shared on August 12, the star appeared in a golden outfit as she promoted her My Life of Many Colors Museum on social media. "Have you reserved your tickets yet? My Life of Many Colors Museum opens this Fall, and we can’t wait to share this unforgettable experience with you," read the caption.
In the pre-recorded video, Parton explained that it was the "biggest exhibit of yours truly that the world has ever seen". She added that it told her story of "rags to rhinestones" and said: "I've been blessed with a life full of stories."
