Dolly Parton spoke warmly about her late husband, Carl Thomas Dean, and shared a hopeful outlook on her career in what became her final interview, conducted just four days before her death.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, who also worked as her head of security, announced on Tuesday that the beloved singer had died at the age of 80.
Speaking to People last week, the undisputed Queen of Country said she still had “so many things” she hoped to accomplish.
The “Jolene” singer reflected on her health and the creative projects she was eager to pursue, explaining that she had been facing medical issues she had pushed aside while caring for her late husband.
“It’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health,” she said in the interview.
“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 healing, I’m still working,” Parton continued.
“You know me — as I’ve often said — I’ve dreamed myself into a corner and I still have so many things I want to achieve, so I’m gonna keep on working as long as I can to see everything come to life.”
Speculation about Parton’s health had been building for months, though the entertainment icon repeatedly sought to reassure fans and calm concerns.
Legendary country music star Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80
Parton said in her last interview that she had been through hard times before with her health
Parton’s famous hits include Jolene, 9 to 5, and I Will Always Love You
She pulled out of multiple public appearances, including a residency in Las Vegas and the opening of a new ride, NightFlight Expedition, at her theme park, Dollywood.
Videos of the event captured Parton’s recorded message, in which she told attendees she was still in Nashville.
‘So my Nashville doctor has kind of clipped my wings, saying, “You ain’t traveling this week.” So I guess if your doctor tells you, “You ain’t traveling this week,” you ain’t traveling this week,’ Parton said in the video message.
Earlier this year, Parton told her fans that she was responding to medication, but the treatment made her feel ‘a little swimmy-headed,’ and she needed time to heal before getting back on stage.
She reassured her fans that she was still hard at work on projects like her new museum, Life of Many Colors, in Nashville, her new hotel and Broadway show, Dolly: A True American Musical.
Elsewhere in her final interview, Parton revealed that she was excited about her partnership with Community Coffee to launch her own line of drinks, Cup of Ambition Coffee.
‘That’s a dream I’ve had for over 40 years, ever since I wrote the line about “cup of ambition” in my song 9 to 5,’ she said.
‘But, you know, some dreams take longer to come to life than others.’
Parton gushed about her late husband, Carl Thomas Dean, in her last interview, admitting that she had not paid attention to some of her health problems while caring for him
Parton had pulled out of her Las Vegas residency, telling fans that she was taking medication and needed time to heal before getting back on stage
Parton wrote and recorded 9 to 5 in 1980 for the comedy film of the same name, in which she starred alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin.
She wrote the track on set by clicking her nails together to form the beat, and it became one of her biggest hits of the decade.
It went on to win numerous awards, including the Academy Award for Best Original Song and Country Song of the Year and Female Country Vocal of the Year at the Grammy Awards.
Parton’s death came over a year after her husband’s, to whom she was married for nearly 60 years.
In her tribute at the time, she reflected on the ‘many wonderful years’ they spent together, expressing their deep love and thanking fans for their prayers.
‘Carl and I spent many wonderful years together,’ she said. ‘Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.’
Parton and Dean first met at a laundromat in Nashville in 1964, when she was just 18. They married in 1966, and he remained a constant, supportive figure behind the scenes.
Parton’s nephew announced her death in a touching tribute, revealing in a video message that she had ‘asked of me years ago before I fully absorbed it as a future reality.’
Parton pulled out of recent events at Dollywood due to her health. Above, at the theme park in 1988
Parton’s nephew said she ‘lived in the light’ and was now ‘in the arms of Jesus’ with her husband and parents. Her team remembered her legacy as ‘one of love, compassion, and resilience’
Seaver hailed his aunt for having ‘lived in the light’ and said she was now ‘in the arms of Jesus’ and the company of her husband, as well as her parents and ‘countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens.’
Her team said in a statement that she had 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.’
‘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.’
