Beloved country star Dolly Parton has passed away at age 80 following recent health struggles. The iconic singer, actress, and former “The Voice” guest mentor’s last Instagram post celebrated the 43rd anniversary of the fan-favorite duet “Islands in the Stream.”
Dolly Parton’s Final Instagram Post Before Her Passing Celebrated an Iconic Duet
On August 25, Parton’s passing was announced on her Instagram account by her nephew, Brian Seaver.
The singer’s final Instagram post prior to the sad announcement was a clip of the iconic duet, however.
“43 years of ‘Islands In the Stream!’ 💖 @_kennyrogers,” she wrote in the caption.
Fans flooded the comments section to share in the nostalgia of the hit song.
“Is it strange that I remember watching this performance on your variety show when it aired?” one fan asked.
Another fan noted, “My mother used to sing this. It reminds me of her and brings a smile to my face. I miss her a lot.”
Others noted, “I saw this live on TV!!!! I remember it” and “I loved watching them together and hearing them sing!”
Dolly Parton’s Nephew Shares Sad News of Her Death
Parton’s nephew shared the sad announcement in an Instagram video on August 25.
“My name is Brian 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.
Seaver continued, “This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality. 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.”
“It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness,” he shared. “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.”
He added, “Dolly opened doors not just for me but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn’t even know was possible. 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. She never saw a door she couldn’t open, and the doors she opened made and changed history.”
He noted the “lifetime of beautiful memories with Dolly” for her family and fans.
“She has always been on your television, your record player, your CD and on your phone playlist, becoming an extended part of your family whether you liked it or not,” Seaver shared. “Our family and the team she has entrusted with her legacy will work diligently to ensure her spirit will live with us forever. Dolly was a farmer, just like her daddy; he farmed the soil, she farmed songs and happiness. 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.”
He added, “Rest in peace, Aunt Dolly — Aunt, Granny, Gigi. May God bless Dolly Parton, and may God bless you all. She will always love you.”
On August 21, Parton shared a health update, telling People, “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 [late husband] Carl. You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this. Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health.”
