Dolly Parton dies aged 80: Remembering a true Guinness World Records ICON
Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80, Guinness World Records is devastated to learn.
The country music legend’s passing was announced today by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, in a heartfelt statement.
He said in a video: “Hey everyone, my name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I am representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my Aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean. Sister, sis, Aunt Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next.
"This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality. As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment, but haven't truly felt it until now."
He added: "It is an honour, an honour 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 for her to meet them in the heavens.”
Dolly was made a Guinness World Records ICON in our 2026 book following a decades-long career of record-breaking proportions.
She is perhaps best known for her anthems “Jolene” and “9 to 5”, and had 11 impressive record titles to her name, including the most consecutive decades with Top 10 album entries on the Billboard country chart (female) when we awarded her with icon status.
She was an absolute powerhouse, having earned that record with Top 10 albums in SEVEN different decades, from 1968’s Just Between You and Me to 2023's Rockstar.
Dolly is shown her certificates by GWR's Amanda Marcus
Rockstar hitting the top spot meant Dolly extended her record for longest span of No.1 hits on the US Top Country Albums chart (female) to 46 years 197 days.
Dolly’s duet with Sabrina Carpenter, a remix of the young songstress’ “Please Please Please”, also extended Dolly’s record for most decades with a Top 20 hit on the US Hot Country Songs chart to seven.
Dolly’s other records:
- Most Top 10 entries on the US Top Country Albums chart (female) – 49
- Most studio albums released by a female country singer - 66
- First country singer to be nominated for the EGOT
- Longest span of No.1 hits on the US Hot Country Songs chart - 35 years 26 days
- Most Grammy nominations for a female country artist – 51
- Most hits on the US Hot Country Songs chart by a female artist – 113
- Most decades on the US Hot Country Songs chart (female) – 7
- Most No.1 hits on the US Hot Country Songs chart by a female artist – 25
Guinness World Records Adjudicator Michael Empric was lucky enough to have met Dolly and said in tribute: “Meeting Dolly was the experience of a lifetime. She was even more warm and charming in person than I could have imagined.
“Having the opportunity to recognize her incredible longevity with multiple Guinness World Records titles is one small way I’ll remember her brilliant creative output over more than 60 years.”
Michael with Dolly
Rest in peace, Dolly. Forever an ICON and a record-breaking legend.