Dolly Parton is being honored with a TV special about her extraordinary life and career. CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton will take place on Wednesday, October 21 from the Fisher Center in Nashville, Tennessee. The two-hour show will air live on ABC and Disney+ on October 21 at 9:00 PM ET. It will stream the next day on Hulu.
According to a press release, I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton “will be a joyful, emotional celebration of the artist, songwriter, entertainer, humanitarian and entrepreneur whose music and generosity carried her from the mountains of east Tennessee into the hearts of generations around the world, told through performances, archival footage and personal stories that trace her extraordinary journey to becoming one of the most beloved entertainers and philanthropists in American history.”
CMA CEO Sarah Trahern Honors Dolly Parton
CMA CEO Sarah Trahern shares why the Country Music Association wanted to honor Parton with the TV special.
“Dolly Parton belonged to the whole world, but she was born of this industry, and this industry owes her a debt of gratitude that words alone cannot repay,” Trahern says. “As the organization built to serve and celebrate Country Music, honoring her legacy is not just an opportunity, it is our responsibility. This special is our way of saying thank you, on behalf of every artist, industry member and fan who found a piece of themselves in her music.”
What Happened to Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton passed away on August 25, 2026, from cancer, an illness she chose not to disclose while she was alive. Per her request, Parton had a small, private service, with only some family members in attendance. Parton, who was 80 years old when she passed away, only revealed that she was battling some health problems.
“She, of course, posted herself that she had been going through health problems, but no one really knew what a lot of that was, including myself,” Parton’s cousin, Richie Owens, shares on the Today Show. “She always kept things private because she always wanted to keep everybody being positive around her and put that out there in the world. Just, ‘Don’t worry about me, I’m going to be fine.’ Just show the love.”
After the news of Parton’s death was announced, a statement shared with People revealed her cancer diagnosis. The type of cancer was never disclosed.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched,” the statement reads. “Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand. Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.”