President Donald Trump ordered American flags to be flown at half-staff across the United States following the death of country music singer Dolly Parton at age 80. The president announced the directive via Truth Social on Tuesday, stating the tribute would last for one week. The announcement followed a public statement from Parton’s family confirming her passing.
Parton’s nephew, Bryan Seaver, who served as her head of security for more than 20 years, announced her death in an Instagram video posted Tuesday afternoon. Seaver stated that Parton had requested he record the message years ago to be shared upon her passing. While a specific cause of death was not immediately released, Parton had recently shared details regarding her declining health, following the March 2025 death of her husband, Carl Dean.
In his Truth Social post, President Trump described Parton as "one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER" and called her death a loss for millions. The presidential order directed that the flag lowering begin at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Parton's career spanned six decades, during which she sold more than 100 million records and earned 11 Grammy Awards, three Emmy Awards, and a 2025 honorary Oscar for humanitarian work.
The death of Parton, who had an estimated net worth of $500 million, marks the end of a career that significantly influenced the music industry and the economy of East Tennessee through her Dollywood theme park. Her death follows a period of reported health struggles; in mid-August, she withdrew from an appearance at a new Dollywood attraction due to dizziness and dehydration. On August 21, she told People magazine that she had been managing health issues that she had previously overlooked while caring for her late husband.
The lowering of flags concludes a week after the 6:00 p.m. start time on Tuesday. Beyond the immediate mourning period, the singer was scheduled to receive a second honorary Oscar for her humanitarian work in 2026. The transition of her estate and the future management of her business interests, including the Dollywood theme park and her extensive music catalog, remain subject to the arrangements made prior to her passing.