Tributes have been paid after the news that Dolly Parton, one of the most legendary artists in country music history, has died at the age of 80.
For many music fans, the fabric of the universe feels noticeably weaker following the news that country music legend Dolly Parton has died aged 80.
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The American singer-songwriter-actress-philanthropist, best known for her hit songs ‘I Will Always Love You’, ‘Jolene’ and ‘9 to 5’, died in Nashville, Tennessee, after a “brief battle” with cancer.
Her death comes just days after sharing a health update, following the cancellation of her Las Vegas residency and the death of her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025.
"I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn't pay attention to when I was watching over Carl," she told People. "It's not like I haven't been through hard times with my health. But I think because we live in a 24/7 world with social media, everything gets magnified in ways it wasn't years ago.”
She added: "I used to joke that I was the Queen of the Tabloids, but now I guess I can say I'm the Queen of Social Media AI! Seriously, though, even though I'm still healin', I’m still workin'."
The family’s official obituary said: “A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family. Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience. With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact.”
Inspire, she did. Countless public figures and celebrities have paid tribute to the Queen of Country, who was voted the most beloved public figure in America following a recent academic poll.
Showing that art can bridge divides by fostering empathy, several politicians have paid their respects to Parton.
Donald Trump ordered flags to be lowered at half mast to honour the artist, and wrote on Truth Social: “This is a true loss for millions of people. There has never been anyone like her, and never will. In her honor, I am lowering the American flag throughout the United States for a one week period beginning tonight at 6:00PM.”
Both senators from Tennessee, where Parton was born on 19 January 1946, reacted on social media and called her death a great loss to the state.
"Tennessee has lost one of its greatest legends - a woman who never lost sight of her faith, her roots, or the Volunteer Spirit. [Dolly Parton] was a true Tennessee treasure, and her legacy will forever be defined by her love of faith, family, and the place she proudly called home," said Republican Sen. Bill Hagerty.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn posted: "There are no words to adequately express the sorrow our family and indeed, all Tennesseans, feel in the loss of Dolly Parton. An iconic leader who loved our great state and nation. Her passing leaves a void that no one can ever fill. Dolly, we will always love you."
Sen. Bernie Sanders highlighted Parton's accomplishments beyond her music career as a philanthropist.
"She was not only a talented musician & songwriter, but a lifelong philanthropist and advocate for literacy, education, LGBTQ+ rights, healthcare and disaster relief," Sanders said. "Her music and humanity touched millions. She will be sorely missed."
Former US President Joe Biden stated: "Simply put, Dolly Parton was an American original. She was an inspiration to millions.” He added that the singer was "a relentless advocate" for women and for equality and praised her charity work of providing books to children around the world.
"She lived her values with a flair and vitality for life that was uniquely her own," Biden added, describing her as "a trailblazer in every sense of the word".
Kamala Harris shared that Parton was “a true American icon”, while former President Barack Obama wrote on X: “It’s hard to imagine many people having a bigger impact than Dolly Parton. Born in a one-room cabin, she earned 11 Grammys and an Emmy, built a business empire, helped millions of kids learn to read, and - as if that wasn’t enough - helped accelerate the research that led to the Moderna COVID vaccine. What a life. Michelle and I are thinking of Dolly’s family and her many, many fans.”
In 2020, Parton memorably played a key role in funding the research that aided the development of one major COVID-19 vaccine (Moderna), donating $1 million of her own money to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Former US president Bill Clinton also paid tribute to Parton, recalling that he and Hillary Clinton were longtime fans and first saw her perform in 1974.
“Dolly Parton was one of a kind – a great songwriter and performer who told the stories of everyday Americans with honesty, humility, and heart,” Clinton wrote. “And she always believed in giving back, especially in her efforts to promote literacy. Hillary and I were big fans and first saw her in 1974, and will always be grateful for the music and the memories.”
Parton’s work beyond music and acting included the Dollywood Foundation, the non-profit organisation founded in 1988 which champions the education of children in her home state of Tennessee.
The Dollywood Foundation has said it remains "honoured to carry the mission she entrusted to it."
Foundation president Jeff Conyers said in a statement: "Dolly often said that she had been blessed far beyond anything she ever dreamed possible, and she believed deeply that those blessings came with a responsibility to give something back. That belief is woven into everything we do at The Dollywood Foundation. While we are heartbroken by her loss, the mission she gave us is as clear today as it has ever been, and we will carry it forward for generations to come."
Then there’s Parton’s literacy initiative, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which has distributed more than 300 million books globally since 1995. Inspired by her father’s inability to read or write, the programme sends one free book every month to children from birth to five - regardless of family income – in the US, Canada, UK, Australia and Ireland.
Her family has requested that donations may be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at imaginationlibrary.com.
Following the news of her death, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has also vowed to continue the singer’s work, saying her vision was always to build something that would “last for generations”.
It recalled how proud Parton was of the programme, particularly because of its connection to her father, quoting her as saying: “My Daddy told me the Imagination Library was probably the most important thing I had ever done.”
In a statement, the organisation said: “The world grieves with us today. And yet we find ourselves just as certain about what comes next. For decades, Dolly & the team at The Dollywood Foundation – home of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library – worked to build something that would last for generations. So it will. The work ahead has never felt more meaningful, and we will carry it forward as she lifts us all up. Dolly, we will always love you.”
Hundreds of celebrities from the muisc world have also paid tribute to Parton, from Paul McCartney and Céline Dion to Taylor Swift, Eminem and Elton John.
Sir Paul McCartney has said it is "difficult" to take in the news of her death, knowing her as a woman who was so "full of life".
He said: "The magnificent star Dolly Parton has died and it is so sad. She was such a wonderful woman."
"She was so bubbly and full of life it is difficult to take in the news that she has passed," he said. "Her songwriting, her singing and her philanthropy were unrivaled in the world of country music and it is hard to imagine living in a world without Dolly. She was a very clever business woman who understood the value of her music and, most importantly, the effect that she had on the people of the world."
McCartney added there was "no greater honour" than when she sang ‘Let It Be’ on her 2023 album, Rockstar, and added: "Even though I only made a small contribution to it, I am so honoured that she did it."
Céline Dion paid tribute to Parton on Instagram, describing her as "pure light, with a kind heart and a generous spirit", while Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood described her energy as "personable" and said her "positive approach to life and the amazing songs she wrote is her legacy that will live on in a world that so needs healing".
Superstar Beyoncé described Parton as the "barometer" and the "north star" for the music industry. In a statement on her website, Beyoncé says she is grateful for Parton's "art, heart, generosity, humour and entrepreneurship", adding that she was "honoured" to work with the country icon. The two worked on Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' album, where they recorded a reworked cover of ‘Jolene’.
Sir Elton John said Parton was "a giant of an artist – unique and irreplaceable, with the kindest heart", while Joan Jett referred to the country icon as “a one of a kind, altruistic, down to earth, musical genius”.
Eminem joined the chorus of tributes by sharing a note he received from the country legend following his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The rapper, who says he never got the chance to meet the "icon" and "superstar in every sense", says the note really had an impact on him.
As for Jack White, who once covered ‘Jolene’ with his band the White Stripes, he kept his tribute short and sweet. “Instant Sainthood,” wrote the musician on social media.
Taylor Swift also paid her respects, describing Parton as “the gift that kept on giving”. Here is her statement in full:
"A world without Dolly doesn’t feel possible, real, or right. But because of the eternally generous way she spent her time on this earth and the countless lives she changed for the better, her legacy will be an everlasting one.
She was truly the gift that kept on giving. Dolly gave us someone to look up to while encouraging us to be who we are as individuals. Somehow she was able to give us her lessons about the world gently and honestly, simultaneously, and oftentimes hilariously. She managed to give the world the ultimate mystery and fantasy in some corners of her life, but to give full transparency in the ways that counted. Somehow she was true grace and true grit, all in one dazzling person. She possessed the softest heart when it came to the struggles of others, and a backbone of steel to defend her own self worth as an artist.
Along with her other fans, I am so grateful for all of it. For the melodies and lyrics she wrote that thawed even the coldest hearts. For the millions of books she provided children all over the world so that they might fall in love with stories the way she did. For the tightropes she walked so that young girls like me could grow up dreaming of joining the circus too.
Dolly, I’ll think of you each step of the way."
RIP Dolly Parton 1946 – 2026. You will be missed.
