Fact Check

Dolly Parton Is Not Dead, as Some Social Media Posts Claim

False rumors that Parton was dead reappeared after the death of her sometime songwriting collaborator Cynthia Weil in June 2023.

Published June 5, 2023

 ( Getty Images)
Image Via Getty Images
Claim:
Singer Dolly Parton died in June 2023.

In early June 2023, we received a message from a reader that asked if Dolly Parton was dead. For years, numerous social media posts, YouTube videos, and obituaries have appeared, claiming that Parton had died.

These rumors were false — Parton is alive. No evidence was shown to prove the singer's death, no legitimate media outlets shared information about her death, nor was it announced on her social media profiles.

The resurgence of the rumor in June 2023 was most probably inspired by real headlines that Parton's songwriter, Cynthia Weil, had indeed died on June 1 at the age of 82. 

Parton's name and pictures were often shared next to Weil's, which might have caused some misinterpretations. Parton tweeted a loving tribute to Weil on June 4, further confirming that she herself was alive.

We have discussed instances in the past where similar false stories have used Parton's image and identity. In September 2022, a false rumor was shared that the singer was on life support. Celebrity death hoaxes are aimed at gaining traffic to websites and social media profiles. If you see one, feel free to send it to us.

Aleksandra Wrona is a reporting fellow for Snopes, based in the Warsaw area.