By The Daily Caller (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-26 17:41:43 | Updated at 2026-09-25 09:00:11
4 weeks ago
Legendary Dolly Parton died at 80 after ‘a brief battle with cancer,’ and made touching end-of-life plans before taking her final bow.
In an Instagram video shared August 25, Parton’s nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death, sending shockwaves through the entertainment industry. Seaver shared that “After a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.”
“Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.”
Parton’s family did not confirm the type of cancer she suffered from.
The famous singer made meaningful plans about her funeral long before she passed away.
Parton decided on which song she wanted played, and left behind another song that she put into a time capsule, instructing her loved ones to present it to the world on her 100th birthday, in 2046.
In a 2014 interview with Entertainment Weekly (EW), Parton referenced her hit song made even more famous by Whitney Houston’s rendition.
“I’m sure they’ll be playing ‘I Will Always Love You’ when I die, just like they did with Whitney Houston,” she told the outlet at the time.
She went on to say that she had selected a song more intimately connected to her life.
Parton told EW her funeral song choice was “If We Never Meet Again,” an old country-gospel hymn with deeply meaningful connections to her family. Parton went on to reveal that the song was her father’s favorite, and it was performed at his funeral. She said she hoped it would one day be sung at hers.
Parton’s camp confirmed Tuesday that she requested a small, private service for her loved ones. Details surrounding a public gathering have not yet been disclosed.
As the world unites in grief over the loss of an icon, a glimmer of hope continues to sparkle - a gift from Parton that will be shared with the world long after her death.
Parton left a treasure for fans to find in the future. (RELATED: Legendary Dolly Parton Dead At 80)
She placed a locked chestnut box containing a recording of an unreleased song called “My Place in History” at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, according to Billboard.
The song was written in 2015, the year that the resort opened, and Parton specifically requested that the song be unveiled on what would have been her 100th birthday - Jan. 19, 2046.
The legendary star left behind a CD of the recording, as well as a CD player to ensure the song could be played.
