Dolly Parton was nonetheless dreaming of the longer term simply 4 days earlier than her demise on the age of 80. The nation music legend handed away peacefully in Nashville on Tuesday, August 25, after a quick battle with most cancers, his workforce confirmed.
However in what would develop into her last interview, revealed by Folks on August 21, Dolly remained characteristically upbeat, speaking concerning the tasks she nonetheless hoped to finish and insisting that, regardless of her well being issues, she was “nonetheless working.”
The poignancy of his phrases is even better in mild of his demise 4 days later. “ me, as I’ve stated many occasions, I’ve dreamed myself right into a nook and I nonetheless have a lot I wish to obtain,” she stated, including that she plans to proceed working so long as she will be able to.
Dolly Parton’s final interview
Dolly had been open about her well being points within the months earlier than her demise, which compelled her to cancel a number of appearances and in the end abandon plans for a Las Vegas residency.
In her newest interview, singer Jolene revealed that a few of these points have been ignored as she devoted herself to caring for her beloved husband, Carl Dean, earlier than his demise in March 2025.
“As I’ve shared in video messages over the previous 12 months, I am coping with well being points that I merely did not take note of whereas watching over Carl,” she informed the publication.
See Dolly’s demise announcement under…
Dolly acknowledged that it had been a tough time, however usually refused to dwell on it. “It’s not like I haven’t been by way of some powerful occasions with my well being,” she stated.
The singer additionally joked that hypothesis round her situation had been amplified by the trendy information cycle and social media, earlier than clarifying that she had no plans to retire quietly. “Critically, although I’m nonetheless therapeutic, I’m nonetheless working!” she stated.
It was an perspective that Dolly maintained whilst concern for her well-being intensified. In October 2025, following a public request for prayers from her sister Freida, she reassured her apprehensive followers in a video: “I do not suppose God is finished with me, and I am not executed working.”
© Getty PhotographsDolly’s plans for the longer term
Removed from contemplating the top of her extraordinary seven-decade profession, Dolly was nonetheless planning what got here subsequent.
She was engaged on the Lifetime of Many Colours museum in Nashville, her SongTeller Lodge and her Broadway musical, Dolly: A True Authentic Musical, in addition to a collection of different tasks.
She additionally spoke enthusiastically about Cup of Ambition Espresso, a collaboration impressed by probably the most well-known lyrics from her 1980 hit 9 to five. The concept was greater than 4 a long time within the making, she revealed, including that “some desires take longer to come back true than others.”
Even acting on stage remained in Dolly’s plans, though she admitted her conventional touring days have been behind her. “I positively plan to do some particular performances sooner or later, however I will not be touring like I used to,” she defined.
In typical Dolly vogue, she even got here up with a humorous answer, revealing that she was exploring the opportunity of an avatar-based present in Nashville that might enable audiences to expertise a Dolly Parton efficiency with out requiring them to bodily go on stage. “I gained’t have to indicate up in particular person, however I’ll nonetheless receives a commission!” she joked. “That looks as if a reasonably whole lot to me.”
©InstagramDolly’s Enduring Love for Husband Carl Dean
Behind Dolly’s willpower to proceed lies an especially tough interval in her private life. Carl died in March 2025 on the age of 82, ending one in all present enterprise’s longest and most well-known non-public marriages.
The couple first met exterior the Wishy Washy Laundromat in Nashville in 1964, the day 18-year-old Dolly arrived within the metropolis to pursue her desires.
They married two years later and remained collectively for almost six a long time, though Carl largely selected to remain out of the highlight that surrounded his spouse.
©InstagramAfter his demise, Dolly paid tribute to the person who had quietly stood by her all through her extraordinary rise from rural Tennessee to world stardom.
“Carl and I had fantastic years collectively,” she wrote. “Phrases can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years.” She added: “Thanks on your prayers and sympathy.”
The loss had a profound impact on Dolly, who later admitted that studying to reside with out her husband was a big adjustment. Her last interview makes it clear that caring for Carl had additionally taken priority over her personal well being.
©InstagramDolly Parton dies at 80
Dolly’s demise was introduced by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who additionally served as longtime head of safety. His representatives later confirmed that the music legend had died following a “temporary battle with most cancers.” A small non-public service shall be held for his rapid household, with followers inspired to make a donation to his beloved Creativeness Library in lieu of flowers.
In a press release, her workforce remembered the singer’s extraordinary life and the heat that made her as beloved off stage as she was on it. “A life in rhinestones that shone brightly sufficient for the entire world to see,” the assertion learn, including that Dolly would stay a supply of inspiration by way of her music, her compositions, “her spirit, her heat and her kindness.”
Her demise got here after a seven-decade profession through which she turned one of many world’s most recognizable artists, promoting greater than 100 million data and writing hundreds of songs, together with Jolene, Coat of Many Colours, 9 to five and I Will At all times Love You.