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.
Final Interview Reveals Health Struggles
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.
Health Issues and Determination
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.'
Parton also joked about the intense speculation surrounding her condition, suggesting social media had magnified concerns in a way that simply did not exist earlier in her career. 'I used to joke that I was the Queen of the Tabloids, but now I guess I can say I'm the Queen of Social Media AI!' she quipped. However, she quickly made clear that retirement was not on her mind. 'Seriously, though, even though I'm still healin', I'm still workin'!' she said.
Nephew's Emotional Tribute
Her comments came after growing concern over her health, with Parton recently pulling out of a fan event after suffering from 'dizziness and dehydration'. Seaver announced his aunt's death in a video which he said Parton herself had asked him to make years earlier.
'This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,' he told fans. Seaver, who served as Parton's head of security for more than two decades after taking over the role previously held by his father Larry, admitted he had long imagined the responsibility of announcing her death without being prepared for its reality.
'It is an honour. An honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly,' he said. He added that the deeply religious star had 'lived in the light' and was now 'in the arms of Jesus', where he believed she had been reunited with Dean, her parents and other loved ones.
Legacy and Final Wishes
Seaver also reflected on Parton's extraordinary impact beyond her own family, saying she had opened doors for 'generations of singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers'. 'By her example, we believed that anything was possible,' he said. 'She never saw a door she couldn't open and the doors she opened made and changed history.'
In one particularly touching passage, Seaver said Parton had become part of millions of families through the music and performances that had filled television screens, record players, CDs and, eventually, phone playlists for decades. He vowed that her family and the team entrusted with protecting her legacy would work 'diligently' to ensure her spirit continued to live on.
Seaver described his aunt's gift in typically Dolly-esque terms, comparing her career to the farming life of her father, Lee Parton. 'Dolly was a farmer, just like her daddy,' he said. 'He farmed the soil; she farmed songs and happiness.'
He also revealed Parton had given instructions about how she wanted to be laid to rest, including one final request after a lifetime synonymous with sequins, rhinestones, and spectacular costumes. 'Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton, because after a life of wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest,' he shared.
Signing off his emotional tribute, Seaver told his 'Aunt Dolly' to 'rest in peace' before offering a final nod to perhaps the most famous song she ever wrote. 'She will always love you.'
