“Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene/
“Oh, I’m begging of you please don’t take my man/
“Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene/
“Please don’t take him even though you can”
These are the opening lyrics of one of the most popular songs of all time, from the hit song Jolene by American superstar songstress Dolly Parton.
Most Nigerians and others aged 35 and above will be mourning the death of the world-famous country music legend whose demise was announced today.
Dolly, as she was fondly called, was aged 80.
Her family announced the devastating news in a video posted to social media.
“I am representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my Aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean,” a statement read by Dolly’s nephew Bryan Seaver said.
It remains unclear exactly what the country crooner died from, but she was reportedly admitted to Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center on Friday for autoimmune and kidney problems, TMZ, an American entertainment-focused tabloid news medium outlet, reported.
She also told PEOPLE celebrity magazine on Friday she was “dealing with some health issues,” something she had repeated in various interviews over the last year after she had canceled several appearances and performances.
Those health issues appeared to arise following the death of her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, in March 2025.
Dolly’s works garnered numerous awards over the years — including 11 Grammys, a Primetime Emmy, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a 2006 Kennedy Center honor and a National Medal of the Arts in 2004.
“The sadness lays with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus,” Seaver’s statement continued.
“Dolly also opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers from every walk of life,” he added.
“By her example we believed that anything was possible. She never saw a door she couldn’t open, and the doors she opened made and changed history.
“My family and I have shared a lifetime of beautiful memories with Dolly, but so have you. She has always been on your television, your record player, your CD, and on your phone playlist, becoming an extended part of your family, whether you liked it or not.”
Known as the queen of country music, Dolly was famous for a huge voice which belted out hits like Jolene, Joshua, and 9 to 5.
She was also known for her over-the-top looks, equally huge personality, charitable causes, and Dollywood theme park in her home state of Tennessee.
Background
Dolly was born in 1946 into a rural household with 11 siblings and no running water, saying over the years that she grew up “dirt poor” and had to scrape by with her family.
But despite those struggles Dolly’s mother encouraged her apparent musical talents — by 5 she had written her first song, by 10 she was singing on local radio shows and at just 13 years old she made her first appearance on the legendary live Grand Ole Opry radio performance in Nashville.
That’s where she met the likes of Johnny Cash and Porter Wagoner, two stars who she would work with throughout her career as she shot to superstardom.
Her first hits came at 21 in 1967 with singles Dumb Blonde and Something Fishy, and by the early 70s she was topping the charts with songs like Coat of Many Colors and I Will Always Love You.
Despite those successes Dolly drove herself hard — sometimes sleeping in cars and bathing in gas station sinks as she raced across the country from gig to gig for her growing fanbase.
“My bedroom was the backseat and [my Uncle Bill Owens’] was the front seat,” Dolly said during a 2018 appearance on “Shine On With Reese.” “I’d wash my hair in the filling station bathrooms and put makeup on in the side mirror of the car, and that was just how you did it.”
As her fame rose Dolly also turned to the screen, starring alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the 1980s comedy 9 to 5.
She also starred alongside Burt Reynolds in 1982’s The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Sally Field in 1989’s Steel Magnolias.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Dolly.
