On August 25th, 2026, it was announced that our Smoky Mountain hometown hero, Dolly Parton, had passed away. The news came from Dolly’s nephew, Brian Seaver, in a video posted on her social media channels. In the video, Seaver stated, “This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality … It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. 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.”
Sevier County joins our community, our state, and people around the world in mourning the loss of Dolly Parton, a true Tennessee icon and one of our own. To honor Dolly Parton and her legacy, we’re taking a look back at her life, her accomplishments, and the joy she’s brought to millions of people around the world.
The Early Years
Dolly was born right here in Sevier County, TN. She grew up in a one-bedroom cabin just outside of Sevierville with her parents and 11 siblings. Music was always a staple in the home, and as early as 6 years old, Dolly was already singing in church and at other appearances around town. Her first paying gig was at The Pines Theater in downtown Sevierville, which has been reimagined today into a modern, family-friendly entertainment venue. After graduating from Sevier County High School in 1964, Dolly packed up her things to chase her dreams in Nashville, with a mindset that no dream was too big for her to achieve.
Dolly Parton’s Career
Dolly’s first big break came when she was hired for The Porter Wagoner Show. Country star Porter Wagoner even helped her land her first record deal. Her first country hit to reach No. 1 was “Joshua” in 1971. Her famous song, “Coat of Many Colors,” was released the same year, and in 1973, “Jolene” was released, reaching No. 1 and charting on Billboard’s Hot 100. She also wrote “I Will Always Love You” in 1974 as she said goodbye to Porter Wagoner and his show, which was later recorded by Whitney Houston.
In addition to music, Dolly had a successful movie career. She starred in 9 to 5 with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, and the theme song for the movie became her first No. 1 single on the Hot 100. She also starred in Rhinestone, Steel Magnolias, and Joyful Noise.
Throughout her music and acting career, Dolly won numerous awards, including the following:
- 11 Grammy Awards
- A Primetime Emmy Award
- 10 Country Music Association Awards
- 7 Academy of Country Music Awards
- 3 American Music Awards
- 2 Academy Award Nominations
- An Honorary Oscar
- Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year Award
In addition to music and acting, she was also an incredible businesswoman. She oversaw an entertainment empire, including Pigeon Forge’s own Dollywood theme park, and she also launched the Dollywood Foundation, which provides poverty relief and funds educational programs in East Tennessee.
One of her most notable programs is Dolly’s Imagination Library, which mails free books to children from birth to age 5, regardless of their family’s income. It launched in 1995 and initially only distributed to Sevier County, but after much success, it began spreading across the country and the world, reaching Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland. The Imagination Library is a testament to Dolly’s big heart and always-keep-dreaming mindset.
Her Impact on Sevier County
Dolly’s impact on Sevier County reaches far beyond her remarkable career. She dedicated herself to making this community a better place, from helping lead the recovery and rebuilding efforts following the 2016 wildfires to her lasting commitment to the children and families of our region through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Her generosity, compassion, and love for the people of Sevier County have touched countless lives and will continue to do so for generations to come.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Dolly’s family, friends, loved ones, and all those across Sevier County and around the world who are grieving this tremendous loss. We will forever continue to honor Dolly Parton, her legacy, and everything she’s done for our county.
To learn more about Dolly Parton’s story, read our blog, “From a Smoky Mountain Cabin to Stardom: The Dolly Parton Story.”
