Dolly Parton made heartbreaking admission in her final interview just days before her death

Dolly Parton said she 'still had so many things she wants to achieve' in one of her final interviews before her death at the age of 80.

The country music star's nephew Bryan Seaver announced the sad news of her passing with 'great sadness' in a poignant video message shared on Tuesday (25 August).

Just days ago, she shared an update on the health issues which have been plaguing her since March last year - and her hopes for the future.

Details surrounding Dolly's death currently remain unclear, however, she had been candid with fans about facing a number of challenges over the last 12 months.

In September 2025, she announced that she was postponing the beginning of her Las Vegas residency due to her ailments, before she then pulled the plug on it altogether in May this year.

The 80-year-old music icon has passed away, her family announced on Tuesday (Courtesy of Dolly Parton Estate)

The Tennessee-born icon told fans that both her immune system and ‌my digestive system had 'got all out of whack over the past couple of years', but said she was 'improving every day'.

"Bad news is it’s gonna take me a little while before I’m up to stage performance level, because some of the meds and treatments make me a little bit swimmy-headed, as my grandma used to say," Dolly joked back in May.

"Of course I can’t be dizzy, carrying around banjos, guitars and such on five-inch heels. And you know that I’m gonna be wearing them!

"I’m doing really well, and they assure me that everything I have is treatable, so I’m going with that, and I just want you to know I thank you for standing by me and that I will always love you."

The 9-5 singer's health woes came in wake of the passing of her beloved husband of almost 60 years, Carl Dean, in March 2025.

She had been battling health problems since early last year (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)

In her most recent interview, Dolly revealed that she overlooked some red flags with her health while caring for her spouse. However, she then insisted that she was 'still healing and still working'.

She spoke to news outlet People about her continuing struggles, which remain unspecified, as she was forced to cancel a scheduled appearance just a few weeks ago.

Tons of fans had hoped to see the Queen of Country in the flesh at her Tennessee theme park, Dollywood, on 14 August - but she said her doctor had ordered her not to travel.

"My little butterfly wings are getting kinda tired," she told attendees about her absence. "Now I’ve told you before, all my fans, that I have had a few little health issues. And sometimes I get a little dizzy, and I get dehydrated.

"And I’m dehydrated. And so my Nashville doctor clipped my wings, saying you ain’t travelling this week. So I guess if your doctor tells you you ain’t travelling this week, you ain’t travelling this week."

Dolly confirmed she was still 'dealing with' some ailments while sharing an update with People on Friday (21 August).

Dolly opened up about 'hard times with her health'

"As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl," the 'Jolene' hitmaker said.

"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."

Dolly then joked that she used to dub herself 'Queen of the Tabloids', but moving with the times, she's now more like 'the Queen of Social Media AI'.

Dolly, pictured in 1978, issued an update on how she was doing just days ago (Robin Platzer/Getty Images)

She then added: "Seriously, though, even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’!

"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."

Dolly's loved ones described her as a 'beloved singer, songwriter, philanthropist, actress, playwright, and author', and said: "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."

Seaver, who was tasked with delivering the news in the social media video, signed off the clip with an incredibly apt statement.

"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," he said.

"Rest in Peace Aunt Dolly. Aunt Granny. Gigi. May God bless Dolly Parton and may God bless you all. She will always love you."