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The music world mourns the loss of one of the true greats.
Country music superstar Dolly Parton died on Tuesday following a brief fight with cancer.
Her publicist, Marcel Pariseau, confirmed the tragic news directly to CNN. He revealed that the legendary singer had been privately battling the disease prior to her death.
“After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” Pariseau said in an official statement.
The publicist’s update came shortly after her nephew, Bryan Seaver, made an earlier announcement confirming that she died peacefully in Nashville, Tennessee.
Video statement
Dolly Parton’s passing was revealed in a two-minute video where her nephew, Bryan Seaver, standing in front of a black background, introduces himself and then breaks the news.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he says after announcing the passing.
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Secret health battle
For millions of listeners around the world, the news of her illness came as a sudden shock. Her health struggles had been kept entirely private until after her passing.
Reflecting on her iconic life, Pariseau praised the generosity and spirit that defined her decades in the public eye.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched,” Pariseau said.
“Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand.”
A lasting legacy
The publicist emphasized that her reach went far beyond music and touched everyday people. Her philanthropic work remained a central pillar of her life right up until her passing.
Through her famous Imagination Library program, she helped distribute hundreds of millions of books to young children completely free of charge.
She also made major waves during recent health crises by donating vital funds toward research for lifesaving vaccines.
Pariseau noted that those massive charitable projects were clear evidence of her unconditional love for people everywhere, calling that love the true guiding force behind her lasting impact.
