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The Economic Times
The Economic Times
National

Dolly Parton grew up in a “dirt poor” Tennessee family, refused Elvis Presley’s offer and went on to build a $650 million empire

Dolly Parton, the legendary country music singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist who rose from poverty in rural Tennessee to become one of the world’s most recognizable entertainers, has died at age 80.

Parton’s death was announced by her family on August 25, 2026. Over a career spanning nearly six decades, she built an extraordinary legacy in music, film, business and philanthropy.

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