Dolly Parton died 'following a brief battle with cancer', her team says

Dolly Parton died following a ‘brief battle with cancer’, her publicist has said.

The iconic singer passed away on Tuesday (24 August) aged 80, her family confirmed in a statement shared by her nephew Bryan Seaver.

In an update tonight, Dolly’s publicist Marcel Pariseau said she ‘departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones’.

In a statement shared with PEOPLE, Dolly’s team said: “Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand.

“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.”

The type of cancer has not been disclosed.

Parton’s death was announced late on Tuesday via an Instagram video by Seaver, who also served as the singer’s head of security who said it was 'an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness', to share the news of her death, adding: “But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly.

“Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens.”

Parton’s husband Carl Dean died last year.

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