Dolly Parton, country legend with lasting Toronto ties, dies at 80

Dolly Parton, the legendary country singer and songwriter, has died at 80. Her death was announced Tuesday by her nephew Brian Seaver in a video posted to Parton's official Instagram account.

Parton built a career spanning more than six decades, becoming one of country music's most successful singer-songwriters with hits including "Jolene," "9 to 5" and "I Will Always Love You." She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.

For Toronto, Parton's final live concert appearance in the city came on September 9, 2016, when she performed at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre (now RBC Amphitheatre) as part of her Pure & Simple Tour. Her influence extended into film, television, business and philanthropy, including her free book gifting program Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which expanded into Canada 20 years ago.

Her spirit continues in Toronto through Dolly's, a country bar that opened at 58 The Esplanade in July this year, featuring Southern music, line-dancing, and late-night bites.

Parton's death comes a little over a year after the death of her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025 at age 82. In his announcement, Seaver remembered Parton not only as a global star but as someone who opened doors for her family and generations of artists. "She never saw a door she couldn't open," he said.