Country music legend Dolly Parton has died at age 80, bringing to a close an extraordinary career spanning more than six decades. Her death in Nashville was confirmed on Tuesday.

Born in Tennessee, Parton rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most recognisable and influential figures in music. Her catalogue includes classics such as ‘Jolene’, ‘9 to 5’, ‘Coat of Many Colors’ and ‘I Will Always Love You’, the latter famously becoming a global hit for Whitney Houston.

Across her career, Parton sold more than 100 million records worldwide, earned multiple Grammy Awards and successfully crossed into film, starring in movies including 9 to 5.

Her influence stretched far beyond entertainment. Parton founded the Imagination Library, which has provided free books to millions of children, and built Dollywood into one of Tennessee’s best-known attractions.

Her death comes a year after the loss of her husband Carl Dean, whom she was married to for nearly six decades.

Dolly Parton leaves behind a remarkable legacy as a songwriter, performer, businesswoman and philanthropist whose music crossed generations and genres.

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