FORT WORTH, Texas — Country music legend Dolly Parton died Tuesday at 80 in Nashville, Tennessee, after a brief battle with cancer, her family and representatives said, ending a seven-decade career that included multiple performances and appearances across North Texas.
Parton’s death came after she recently cited health issues when she missed the opening of a new attraction at Dollywood. Her husband, Carl Dean, died in March 2025 at 82.
Parton had a long history with North Texas, beginning with a 1974 performance at Arlington Stadium for WBAP’s Country Gold fourth anniversary event.
In 1977, she performed at Panther Hall in Fort Worth, where she sang songs including “I Will Always Love You,” “Rocky Top” and “Jolene.”
Parton returned to Dallas in 2002 for a concert at the Granada Theater during her “Halos & Horns” Summer Tour.
In May 2023, Parton co-hosted the Academy of Country Music Awards with Garth Brooks at The Star in Frisco. During the ceremony, she presented Lainey Wilson with the award for female artist of the year.
“I’ve always loved working in Texas cause you’re just so rowdy and so fun loving,” Parton said at the 2023 ACM Awards. “You like to show people you appreciate what they’re doing so that always makes an artist feel great.”
In November 2023, Parton performed during halftime of the Dallas Cowboys’ Thanksgiving game against the Washington Commanders. She wore a blue-and-white outfit inspired by the Cowboys Cheerleaders.
Fort Worth honky-tonk Billy Bob’s Texas also paid tribute to Parton after her death, noting her influence on the music industry despite never performing at the venue.
Parton recorded hits including “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You” and built a career that extended into film, television, business and philanthropy. She sold more than 100 million records worldwide and won 11 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award.
