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Dolly Parton's heartbreaking final wish to her family was revealed in the video announcing the country music icon's death at 80.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, appeared in a somber video on Tuesday afternoon sharing the devastating news with the world.
She died earlier this morning after she was admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville on Friday with autoimmune and kidney problems, TMZ reported.
Seaver, who served as his aunt's head of security for more than 20 years, said the clip itself was something that Parton asked him to do years ago.
'I am representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my Aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean,' Seaver began.
'Sister, sis, Aunt, Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,' he continued before sharing her last request.
'This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago before I fully absorbed it as a future reality.
'As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven't truly felt it until now.
Country music icon Dolly Parton died at the age of 80, her heartbroken family shared on Tuesday
Her nephew and head of security, Bryan Seaver, announced the devastating news to the world. He said it was something that she had wanted him to do for years. They are pictured together in October 2016
'It is an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly,' he continued.
Just four days before her death, the 'Jolene' singer told People that she was 'dealing with some health issues that I just didn't pay attention to when I was watching over Carl.'
Her late husband, Carl Thomas Dean, died in March 2025 at the age of 82 after a private battle with Alzheimer's and other health complications.
They were married for 59 years.
She told the outlet: '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.
'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! Seriously, though, even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’!'
After her nephew broke the news, Parton's publicity team confirmed her passing.
The star, who is often referred to as the Queen of Country, enjoyed an illustrious music career that spanned an incredible six decades
'A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family,' the statement read.
'Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience,' it continued.
'With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact.'
The star, who is often referred to as the Queen of Country, enjoyed an illustrious music career that spanned an incredible seven decades.
She was arguably best known for her hits Jolene and 9 to 5, among others.
Seaver fondly recalled joining Parton on tour when he was a child in the 1980s, sharing that she 'opened doors not just for me but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn’t even know was possible.'
He described her as 'a farmer, just like her daddy; he farmed the soil, she farmed songs and happiness. Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life of wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.'
The fourth of 12 children, Parton was born in Pittman Center, Tennessee, on January 19, 1946.
She and her siblings, Willadeene, David Wilburn, Coy Denver, Bobby Lee, Stella Mae, Cassie Nan, Randel Huston 'Randy,' Larry Gerald, twins Estel Floyd and Freida Estelle, and Rachel Ann, were raised in the Great Smoky Mountains where they slept on beds made of straw and lived with no running water, gas or electricity.
Her late husband, Carl Thomas Dean, died in March 2025 at the age of 82 after a private battle with Alzheimer's and other health complications. They were married for 60 years
Having developed a love of music at an early age, Parton sang frequently on the local radio and made television appearances in East Tennessee as a child before releasing her first single, Puppy Love, at the age of 13.
Her death comes after months of health woes that saw her pull out of a string of public appearances.
In September 2025, Parton sparked concerns for her health after she announced she would be postponing her Las Vegas residency that was originally scheduled for December 4 to December 13, 2025, at the Colosseum Theater at Caesars Palace due to 'health challenges'.
The rescheduled shows were supposed to take place next month.
In October of last year, the hitmaker's younger sibling, Freida Parton, startled fans when she asked for prayers for Parton.
However, hours later Freida returned to Facebook with an update, sharing that she didn't mean to 'scare anyone' and adding that Parton has 'been a little under the weather.'
She added that it wasn't her intention to 'make it sound so serious' and that she made her earlier public appeal simply because she believes in 'the power of prayer.'
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