Dolly Parton, the country music legend behind hits like “Jolene” and “9 to 5” as well as actress, businesswoman, fashion icon, and philanthropist, died on Tuesday. She was 80.
Her death was announced in a video featuring her nephew, Bryan Seaver, that was shared on Parton’s social media accounts. Seaver didn’t disclose a cause of death in the video. He said that his aunt “has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by” her loved ones, including her husband Carl Dean, who died last year, as well as her parents and “countless others who have watched her and longed for her to meet them in the havens.”
“She never saw a door she couldn’t open, and the doors she opened made and changed history,” Seaver said. “My family and I have shared a lifetime of beautiful memories with Dolly, but so have you. 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.”
A statement shared on Parton’s social media page said Parton “died peacefully today in Nashville.” The statement referenced her decades-long legacy in both music and philanthropy. It also said that a small, private funeral service will be held for Parton’s immediate family, per her wishes, while it encouraged fans to share tributes to Parton online.
Parton’s family also asked that, instead of flowers, people who wish to express their condolences donate to Parton’s Imagination Library, a program that mails books to children for free. Parton founded the initiative in 1995 in her home state of Tennessee, and it has since expanded to other states and even internationally, donating hundreds of millions of books worldwide.
“I am as proud of the Imagination Library,” Parton told PBS News in 2020, “as I ever will be, anything I ever do for the rest of my life.”
Tributes for the country music icon began pouring in on Tuesday afternoon, including from President Donald Trump, who called Parton “one of the greatest Country singers.” Trump said that, in Parton’s honor, he was ordering U.S. flags across the country to be lowered for a week, starting at 6 p.m. that evening.
“This is a true loss for millions of people,” Trump said on Truth Social. “There has never been anyone like her, and never will.”
Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee said in a social media post that she and her husband were “absolutely heartbroken and saddened to hear of the passing of our friend.”
“Dolly’s life and career are forever woven into Tennessee’s music, culture, and history,” Blackburn said. “Her extraordinary talent, generosity, and love for the Volunteer State touched hearts around the world and will continue to inspire generations to come. Tennessee will forever be grateful for Dolly.”
Other politicians mourned the loss of Parton as well, remembering not only her contribution to the music industry but also her philanthropic legacy and advocacy.
“Dolly Parton was one of the great entertainers of our era,” Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont said on X. “She was not only a talented musician & songwriter, but a lifelong philanthropist and advocate for literacy, education, LGBTQ+ rights, healthcare and disaster relief. Her music and humanity touched millions. She will be sorely missed.”
Education Secretary Linda McMahon said, “America lost an icon today. Dolly Parton embodied so much of what is possible in America - a remarkable singer, songwriter, entertainer, businesswoman, and philanthropist.” McMahon added that Parton’s “greatest legacy extends far beyond her music,” praising and linking to Parton’s Imagination Library.
Many musicians also shared tributes for Parton.
Fellow octogenarian entertainer and friend Dionne Warwick posted on X a photo with Parton and said, “I will certainly miss her laugher, jokes and her being. Rest well and in total peace my friend. My heart is heavy.”
Kacey Musgraves shared multiple posts on X about the news, saying in one, “The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden,” and in another that she was glad that Parton was reunited with her late husband.
Country singer and actress Reba McEntire honored her friend in a statement, thanking her “for all the wonderful things [she] did for us here on earth.”
“We will remember and cherish every memory and every note you ever played and sang,” McEntire said. “Thank you, Lord, for Dolly. She’s gonna have a blast in heaven singing all her favorite songs with all her family and friends who have gone on before her.”
Singer-songwriter Maren Morris shared on Instagram a video of her and Parton singing together with a caption that described Parton as “who we could all agree on.”
“There will never be another,” Morris added. “She was and is such a light.”
This is a developing story.
