Dolly Parton Final Interview: Country Star Opened Up About 'Hard Times With My Health'

Dolly Parton revealed she was enduring 'hard times with my health' in what became her final interview, just days before the country legend died at 80 following a brief battle with cancer.

The country music icon died on 25 August 2026 at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, surrounded by loved ones, her representatives confirmed.

Parton had stepped back from some public appearances over the previous year, citing health challenges that forced her to postpone her Las Vegas residency in September 2025.

She later told fans at Dollywood's season opening in March 2026 that she had 'a few little health issues' and was rebuilding herself 'spiritually, emotionally, and physically' after grieving her husband Carl Thomas Dean, who died in March 2025 after nearly 60 years of marriage.

Health Struggles in the Spotlight

In her 21 August interview with People, Parton said she had been 'dealing with some health issues that I just didn't pay attention to when I was watching over Carl.'

She spoke matter-of-factly about her condition, noting she had been through significant health problems before, including being 'down for several months with female issues' in the early 1980s.

Parton also reflected on how differently health concerns were scrutinised later in her life. 'I think because we live in a 24/7 world with social media, everything gets magnified in ways it wasn't years ago,' she told the magazine.

Parton joked she used to be the 'Queen of the Tabloids' but now considered herself the 'Queen of Social Media AI.' She was also working with a team to develop 'avatar performances' for appearances she could not make in person, while continuing to record video messages to stay connected with fans.

On 14 August, at the opening of Dollywood's NightFlight Expedition ride, a pre-recorded video played for attendees in which Parton said she sometimes got 'a little dizzy' and dehydrated.

Her Nashville doctor had advised her not to travel that week, she added, but Parton assured fans that she continued working on other projects.

'All is going well on the medical end of things, and I continue working away on all our other projects,' she said.

The specific type of cancer Parton had has not been publicly disclosed, and her team has not released further clinical details. Her representatives confirmed only that she had faced a 'brief battle with cancer' before her death.

A Legacy of Joy and Giving

In the statement confirming the cause of her death, Parton's representatives said she had 'bravely' faced a brief battle with cancer before departing her 'Earthly life' at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.

They highlighted her 'unmatched generosity,' including the hundreds of millions of books distributed through her Imagination Library and her support for medical research that contributed to the development of a COVID-19 vaccine.

'Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched,' the statement read. The tribute reflected a career that extended beyond country music into film, business and philanthropy.

Even in her final weeks, Parton insisted she was still working, with projects including a Broadway musical and a planned hotel and museum in Nashville remaining in development.

Her final interview reflected the same determination. Despite acknowledging her health struggles, Parton stressed that she remained focused on the work ahead.

'Even though I'm still healin', I'm still workin'!' she told People four days before her death.