Dolly Parton’s cause of death has been revealed, just hours after her team confirmed the country icon had died aged 80.
The country icon died following a “brief battle with cancer,” according to People magazine.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched,” her team said in a statement to the outlet.
“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 Centre surrounded by loved ones,” the statement concluded.
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The news came after it was revealed her music could be kept alive for decades to come thanks to a “secret vault” holding thousands of unreleased songs.
On Tuesday, the 80-year-old died in Nashville following a health battle, her family confirmed in a video statement.
The Tennessee-born star enjoyed a six-decade career after finding fame through some of the biggest hits in country music, such as Jolene, Islands in the Stream and 9-5.
But fans of the “Queen of Country” could still be treated to more new hits for years after her death.
Ms Parton previously revealed she had written thousands of songs that had never been released to the public.
In 2020, the singer said on her Dolly Parton’s America podcast: “I’ve got hundreds, hundreds, even thousands of songs – a big part of them have never even been recorded.
“There’s enough stuff to go on forever with my music, to do compilation albums, to do new and original stuff.
“I am purposely trying to put songs down for that very purpose, to have a click track and my vocals where any arrangement could be done. So I think ahead.”
The 80-year-old continued: “Anybody could produce that. Anyone, any producer in the world – a hot shot producer, when I’m gone, they could take my songs, just the click track of my vocal, and build a complete arrangement around that. So that will go on forever.”
Ms Parton had also stored away a special track at Dollywood – a theme park dedicated to the singer in her home state of Tennessee.
However, the song will not be heard for another 19 years as it is scheduled to be unsealed on the 30th anniversary of the park’s opening, which took place
During an appearance on the “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”, she revealed the plans to release the track in 2045.
The singer explained: “It would be a song that will never be heard until 30 years from the time we opened the resort.
“They said, ‘You’ll be long dead.’ I said, ‘Well, maybe not. I’ll be 99. I’ve seen people live to be older than that’.”
Details of the 80-year-old’s funeral have been revealed, with the ceremony consisting of “a small, private service for immediate family”, her publicity team told Page Six.
According to TMZ, Ms Parton will be buried in her signature heels and laid to rest beside her late husband, Carl Dean, at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum.
President Donald Trump announced that American flags will be flown at half-mast across the US for seven days following her death.
In a post on Truth Social, Mr Trump called Ms Parton “one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER,” declaring her passing “a true loss for millions of people.”
He ordered the lowering of flags to begin at 6pm on Tuesday evening.
“There has never been anyone like her, and never will,” the president wrote, adding: “Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you.”
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