Dolly Parton had one simple request for how she wanted to rest after spending decades wearing her signature rhinestones.
The legendary country singer-songwriter passed away at age 80 on August 25. Her nephew Bryan Seaver announced the news in an emotional video posted to Parton’s Instagram account and revealed that his aunt had personally asked him to deliver the announcement years earlier.
Seaver, who served as Parton’s head of security for more than two decades, also shared a personal request she made about her final resting place.
“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,” Seaver said.
It was one of several personal details Seaver shared while remembering the woman his family knew as Dolly, Sister, Sis, Granny and Gigi.
Dolly Parton Asked Her Nephew Years Ago to Deliver the Family Announcement
A message from the family of Dolly Parton. pic.twitter.com/9DNRgRx0uH
— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) August 25, 2026
Seaver revealed that Parton had prepared him to share the news long before August 25.
“My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he said.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” Seaver continued. “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.”
Seaver said the family’s sadness was for those Parton left behind.
“It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness,” he said. “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 Family Plans to Protect the Legacy She Left Behind
Seaver also reflected on Parton’s influence on her family and generations of performers.
He recalled first going on the road with his aunt as a child in the early 1980s.
“Dolly opened doors not just for me but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn’t even know was possible,” Seaver said. “Dolly also opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers from every walk of life and across every continent.”
“By her example, we believed that anything is possible,” he added. “She never saw a door she couldn’t open, and the doors she opened made and changed history.”
Seaver said Parton’s family and team will now work to preserve what she created.
“Our family and the team she has entrusted with her legacy will work diligently to ensure her spirit will live with us forever,” he said.
He also offered a fitting description of how Parton turned her rural Tennessee roots into a career that reached around the world.
“Dolly was a farmer, just like her daddy; he farmed the soil, she farmed songs and happiness,” Seaver said.
Dolly Parton Shared Health Update Days Before Family Announcement
Four days before the family announcement, Parton spoke to People about health issues she had been managing.
Parton said some of those problems went unattended while she cared for her husband, Carl Dean, who passed away in March 2025.
“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,” Parton said.
Despite her health challenges, Parton said she remained determined to work.
“Seriously, though, even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’!” she said. “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.”
Parton grew up as one of 12 children in Tennessee and began singing in her grandfather’s church as a child. Her debut album, “Hello, I’m Dolly,” arrived in 1967, beginning a career that would include more than 160 million albums sold worldwide and songs including “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.”
Seaver ended his family’s announcement with a final message that referenced one of his aunt’s most famous songs.
“Rest in peace, Aunt Dolly — Aunt, Granny, Gigi,” he said. “May God bless Dolly Parton, and may God bless you all. She will always love you.”
