Dolly Parton’s death has sent shockwaves around the world. What she said in her last-ever interview, only days before her passing, is now taking on a completely different meaning.
The country music icon died Tuesday, August 25, at age 80, after a brief battle with cancer. Just days before her death, Parton gave an interview in which she spoke about her health in words that have now become deeply moving.
Parton’s death was announced Tuesday by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, on Instagram. More details emerged when Parton’s team confirmed her cause of death to PEOPLE. The singer had been diagnosed with cancer shortly before her death and died at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, surrounded by loved ones.
Dolly Parton was born on January 19, 1946, in Tennessee. She was an American country singer, songwriter and actress. She released her first album in 1967 and went on to build a decades-long career, becoming one of the most recognizable and beloved stars in the world.
Just days before Parton’s death, PEOPLE published what will likely be her final interview. In it, the singer reflected on her life, her health and her plans for the future.
“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 [my husband] Carl. You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this. 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 told PEOPLE.
Dolly Parton’s last interview
She went on: “But I think because we live in a 24/7 world with social media, everything gets magnified in ways it wasn’t years ago. 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!”
Parton then spoke about her health in words that now carry a different weight: “Seriously, though, even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’! You know me – as I’ve often said – 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.”
Just one week before the interview was published, Parton appeared via video at the launch of a new attraction at Dollywood, the Tennessee theme park named after her. Parton had told PEOPLE that her doctors advised her not to travel to the theme park herself.
“So my Nashville doctor has kind of clipped my wings, saying, ‘You ain’t traveling this week.’ So I guess if your doctor tells you, ‘You ain’t traveling this week,’ you ain’t traveling this week,” she said.
Dolly Parton dies at the age of 80
In what is now believed to be her final interview, Parton also discussed plans for the Life of Many Colors museum being developed in Nashville. The museum is intended to give fans an intimate look at the singer’s life, career and the stories behind it all.
“I am so proud of this. We found this location early one morning. I knew I wanted to do something special in Nashville, and until I saw this building, nothing ever hit me as the right thing to do,” she said.
Now, Parton is being mourned by fans, friends and family around the world. While her death marks the end of an extraordinary life and career, her music, films, songwriting and countless contributions to others will ensure that her legacy lives on for generations to come.
REST IN PEACE.
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