The news of Dolly Parton’s death has been met with widespread heartbreak after the country music icon died at 80 following a “brief battle” with cancer.
Parton’s nephew Bryan Seaver announced the news of her death Tuesday, saying: “Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus.” Her representative later confirmed that she had died at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, surrounded by loved ones. According to TMZ, the singer will be buried in the mausoleum at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Nashville, Tennessee, next to her husband Carl Dean, who died last year.
Parton’s sister, Stella, spoke out Thursday morning with an emotional Facebook tribute. “If anyone gets to heaven I’m sure she made it right on time,” Stella Parton wrote.
“I know she’s showing out big time, in all her sparkles and shine. That was my sister’s way.”
Singer Miley Cyrus, Parton’s goddaughter, remembered her “Aunt Dolly” as an “angel,” saying, “I will always love her and want to make her proud.
Everyone from Taylor Swift and Beyoncé to Eminem and Linda Ronstadt paid tribute to Parton, describing her as “the gift that kept on giving” and saying her legacy would be “an everlasting one.” Paul McCartney also remembered Parton, saying her songwriting, singing, and philanthropy were “unrivaled in the world of country music.”
Key Points
- Full story: Country legend dies aged 80 after a brief battle with cancer
- Miley Cyrus mourns godmother Dolly Parton: ‘I have an angel by my side’
- Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library gifted 325m books before her death
- Dolly Parton to be laid to rest beside husband Carl Dean
Full story: Country legend dies aged 80 after a brief battle with cancer
Wednesday 26 August 2026 04:08 , Jacob Stolworthy & Kevin E G Perry
Dolly Parton, who was born in a two-room log cabin and rose to become the world’s wealthiest country music star with timeless hits including “9 to 5” and “Jolene,” has died aged 80 after a “brief battle with cancer.”
Her death was announced by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, in an Instagram video posted Tuesday afternoon. The musician’s publicist confirmed Parton’s cancer diagnosis to the Associated Press later in the day, but did not give further details on her illness.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the statement from her reps to People magazine read.
“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.”
Read on...
Dolly Parton dies aged 80 after a brief battle with cancer
Julia Roberts recalls Dolly Parton's advice on 'Steel Magnolias'
16:59 , Caitlin Hornik
A clip has resurfaced from a 1989 interview Roberts and Parton did on The Oprah Winfrey Show about Steel Magnolias.
Ellie Muir reports:
Julia Roberts said she’d never forget Dolly Parton’s response to her complaining
Why scientists are mourning Dolly Parton
16:41 , Caitlin Hornik
Dolly Parton’s death has prompted tributes from scientists who remember a less familiar side of her legacy: her contributions to research, public health, and education.
Catherine Heymans, the Astronomer Royal for Scotland, told Nature that Parton had “provided the soundtrack for my PhD” and was “gratefully acknowledged as a key contributor” in her thesis.
World Health Organization director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also called Parton “an exceptional artist, a true champion of kindness, and ambassador of science and public health.”
My condolences to @DollyParton’s family, friends and fans. Today is a sad day as we mourn an exceptional artist, a true champion of kindness, and ambassador of science and public health.
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) August 25, 2026
Thank you, Dolly, for your music, your generosity and the comfort and joy you brought to so…
Her best-known contribution to research came in March 2020, when she gave $1m to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to establish the Dolly Parton COVID-19 Research Fund. The money helped support early work on an experimental mRNA vaccine that eventually became Moderna’s Covid vaccine, and the fund is acknowledged in the first published phase I trial report.
Dolly Parton was a legend
— Neil Stone (@DrNeilStone) August 25, 2026
She was a great philanthropist..donating a million dollars to Covid vaccine research which went on to save many lives
Thank you for the music and generosity!
A truly great woman
Rest in peace
pic.twitter.com/2aWZx88KNu
Parton raised $500,000 for LeConte Medical Center in Sevier County, Tennessee, which opened in 2010 with a dedicated Dolly Parton Center for Women’s Services. She gave another $1m to Vanderbilt in 2022 for pediatric infectious-disease research.
In February 2026, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital was renamed Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital after an undisclosed “generational” gift from Parton that is funding a new pediatric residency program, rural telehealth and the recruitment of medical specialists.
Dolly Parton’s former bandmate remembers the ‘best’ person he knew
16:22 , Caitlin Hornik
Garry Murray, an Arkansas musician who spent six months playing fiddle in Dolly Parton’s band, remembered the country star for the way she treated people on and off stage.
Murray, who grew up in Corning before moving to Nashville in 2002, told FOX16/KLRT that he joined Parton’s band after her regular fiddle player became unavailable. He first met her more than 20 years earlier after auditioning for bandleader Kent Wells, and Parton shook his hand with both of hers and told Wells: “He looks pretty and he feels good. If he can play the fiddle, then I think we should hire him.”
He was later called in when Parton’s regular fiddle player was unavailable, joining her for a six-month tour. One stop brought the band to Little Rock, where Murray’s family watched him perform.
He said watching her meet fans was one of his strongest memories: “She was the best I’ve ever seen at making whoever she’s talking to feel like the only person in the room.”
Murray also remembered Parton’s extraordinary work ethic, saying she appeared to sleep only around four hours a night because she was constantly working on something. “She was just the best,” he said.
Dolly Parton’s work will continue with a slate of posthumous projects
16:07 , Caitlin Hornik
Dolly Parton’s team has revealed the scale of the projects she was developing before her death, from an on-screen avatar to new television series and a biopic.
“Ever the planner, Dolly worked with the team that she handpicked, for the past several years to build a project roadmap that will guide us for decades to come,” Parton’s longtime manager Danny Nozell told The Los Angeles Times.
The immediate schedule includes Dolly Dolls, launching online on 15 September, and Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop in Cornersville, Tennessee, which will mark National Truck Driver Appreciation Week from 13 September.
Guests can begin staying at the SongTeller Hotel in Nashville on 14 September, ahead of its 29 September grand opening. The hotel will also house the 20,000-square-foot Life of Many Colors Museum, while Cup of Ambition Coffee launches online that day before reaching shops in spring 2027.
Other projects include Dolly on the Holly for Christmas 2026, a Kendra Scott 9 to 5 jewelry collection in January 2027, Dolly’s Dog Treats in early 2027 and Dolly Bedding & Home Decor in the third quarter.
Her Broadway musical begins previews in December and opens on 19 January next year, what would’ve been Parton’s 81st birthday.
Beyond those dated projects, Parton’s team says a musical documentary, biopic, docuseries, scripted series, Dolly avatar show and animated Billy the Kid series are also in development.
Nozell said fans can trust that future projects released through official Dolly channels carry her “personal stamp.”
Dolly Parton built a business empire far beyond her music
15:51 , Caitlin Hornik
Dolly Parton turned the success of her music career into a sprawling business empire, retaining control of her songwriting while building ventures in tourism, hospitality, food, and entertainment.
Parton’s fortune was estimated at $450 million in 2025, with the largest share coming from her 50 per cent stake in Dollywood, according to Forbes. The 165-acre theme park in Pigeon Forge attracts around four million visitors a year.
Parton also retained the rights to her songs, which allowed her to continue collecting royalties as they were recorded and performed.
In June 2026, she opened Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop in Cornersville, Tennessee, a joint venture with longtime manager Danny Nozell and travel-stop operator Gregory H Sachs. A Nashville hotel and museum dedicated to her life are due to open in September, while her Cup of Ambition coffee line is also scheduled to launch nationwide.
Several projects will continue after her death, including the Broadway musical, a forthcoming biopic, documentary series, and avatar show.
How Dolly helped millions of women become unapologetically glam
15:35 , Caitlin Hornik
When news of Dolly Parton’s death spread Tuesday afternoon, there was only one fitting way to pay tribute. As one viral post put it: “Girls, we gotta put on our finest push-up bra for our good sister Dolly Parton!”
Ellie Muir reports on how Dolly helped millions of women be unapologetically glam:
The lesson in unapologetic glam that Dolly Parton taught millions of women
New York Yankees honor Dolly
15:17 , Caitlin Hornik
“Before tonight’s game, we held a moment of silence to remember country music icon Dolly Parton,” the team captioned a post on X.
“Dolly’s music, compassion, and generosity touched the hearts of millions, and she will be greatly missed. We send our condolences to her loved ones.”
Before tonight’s game, we held a moment of silence to remember country music icon Dolly Parton 💙
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 26, 2026
Dolly’s music, compassion, and generosity touched the hearts of millions, and she will be greatly missed. We send our condolences to her loved ones. pic.twitter.com/1uZEIsVYa8
Petition to rename Nashville airport after Dolly Parton gets attention
15:04 , Caitlin Hornik
Following Dolly Parton’s death at 80, a Change.org petition that calls to rename the Nashville International Airport “Dolly Parton International Airport” has received renewed attention.
The petition has received more than 127,000 signatures as of Thursday morning.
Dolly's sister Stella speaks out
15:00 , Caitlin Hornik
In a lengthy Facebook post, Stella Parton paid tribute to Dolly.
“My big sister Dolly got her wings this past Tuesday,” she began. “If anyone gets to heaven I’m sure she made it right on time.
“I know she’s showing out big time, in all her sparkles and shine. That was my sister’s way.”
She continued: “My sister was one of the most generous, thoughtful and kind people I’ve ever known. What the world saw is exactly who she was, so much so, she told me recently that if there was no hope for her, she would still allow her medical team to try experimental drugs in the hope of helping others in the future.
“My sister was always thinking of others and if you want to honor her legacy, show more kindness, lift others up and give more of your time and resources as she continued to do to the very end. I want to personally thank all of you for the out pouring of love and respect you are showing my sister.
“Your love and respect for her is deeply felt by all of us who loved her first and it helps as we grieve her passing through our lives! My Tuesday morning coffee time will never be the same but her love, respect and goodness will remain.
“Dolly loved the world and everyone in it.”
Kylie Minogue: Dolly was 'a true icon'
14:53 , Caitlin Hornik
“A true icon and forever inspiration. Dolly, I will always love you,” Minogue wrote on X.
A true icon and forever inspiration. Dolly, I will always love you. 🤍 pic.twitter.com/uTC69b0Eyu
— Kylie Minogue (@kylieminogue) August 26, 2026
Mariah Carey honors Dolly
14:37 , Caitlin Hornik
“Rest in Peace Dolly, one of the most brilliant, iconic, and prolific artists of all time. Your kindness and generosity will never be forgotten. I will always love you,” Carey wrote on X.
Rest in Peace Dolly, one of the most brilliant, iconic, and prolific artists of all time. Your kindness and generosity will never be forgotten. I will always love you ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Fdypqdmpzs
— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) August 26, 2026
Michael Bublé: 'This one really hurts'
14:23 , Caitlin Hornik
“Dolly once wrote me a letter asking if I’d listen to a song she’d written and consider singing it with her. The truth is, I didn’t even listen before I said yes. When Dolly Parton asks, you say yes,” Bublé wrote on X.
“When God made Dolly, He broke the mold.
“This one really hurts,” he ended his note with a broken heart emoji.
Dolly once wrote me a letter asking if I’d listen to a song she’d written and consider singing it with her. The truth is, I didn’t even listen before I said yes. When Dolly Parton asks, you say yes.
— Michael Bublé (@MichaelBuble) August 27, 2026
When God made Dolly, He broke the mold.
This one really hurts. 💔 pic.twitter.com/X3bqEzTSC9
Judge shouts out Dolly Parton as he strikes down ban on Texas drag shows
14:12 , Caitlin Hornik
A federal judge name-checked Dolly Parton on Tuesday as he struck down a drag ban law in Texas on the same day the country icon’s death was announced.
In his ruling, Judge David Hittner argued the law, SB 12, was overly broad, poorly defined and infringed on First Amendment rights.
He noted that the legislation, which threatens fines and jail time for people associated with “sexually oriented” performances, could impact a wide variety of performers, including the late Tennessee songstress.
“Just as many people criticized Elvis's signature hip gyrations and were offended by his display of male sexuality, chastised Dolly Parton as a voluptuous sex symbol because of her big hair, flamboyant clothes and breast exposure...there are ‘erotic’ elements in countless popular performances that could be subject to both civil and criminal penalties under S.B. 12,” Hittner wrote.
Judge shouts out Dolly Parton as he strikes down ban on Texas drag shows
Dolly Parton to be laid to rest beside husband Carl Dean
13:54 , Caitlin Hornik
Dolly Parton will be laid to rest beside her late husband, Carl Dean, at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville, after a small private funeral for immediate family.
The service is being held in accordance with Parton’s wishes, her representatives confirmed to People.
“Dolly’s fans and friends from around the world are encouraged to pay tribute to Dolly on social media by tagging Dolly Parton or by leaving a message at www.dollyparton.com,” the statement read. “In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.”
Parton and Dean were married for 58 years before his death in March 2025.
Her nephew Bryan Seaver shared one of her more personal final wishes along with the news of death on Tuesday; she wanted to be buried in “a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to feel comfortable and have some rest.”
Sandra Bullock recalls working with Dolly Parton
13:36 , Caitlin Hornik
Parton played herself in the 2005 film Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous.
Speaking at the Wednesday night London premiere of Practical Magic 2, Bullock recalled working with the late country legend.
“I hated flying for the longest time, and I used to just take a tour bus everywhere and I would sleep on the tour bus,” Bullock recalled. “[Parton] came to Vegas, and she pulled her tour bus up next to mine—I think it was pink, of course—And I said, ‘Okay, So, Miss Parton, we’ve got a hotel and room for you that’s massive.’ And she goes, ‘No, I’ll stay in the bus.’”
When Bullock asked where Parton would do her hair and makeup, she replied: “Oh, I’ll do it on the bus.”
The Queen of Country also told Bullock she’d sleep on the bus, prompting Bullock to reply, “Then I’m sleeping on the bus.”
“So she and I slept side-by-side on the bus,” Bullock said.
“She’s here. She sprinkles everywhere,” Bullock added of Parton. “She’s not going anywhere.”
Flags to fly at half-staff for Dolly
13:28 , Caitlin Hornik
Following the news of Dolly’s death, President Trump ordered flags to fly at half-staff for one week “as a mark of respect for the memory” of Parton.
The tribute is slated to last longer than those for Pope Francis and Lindsey Graham.
Obama says few will have 'bigger impact than Dolly Parton'
13:18 , Caitlin Hornik
Former President Barack Obama is among the many to pay tribute to Parton, writing 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.”
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… https://t.co/gl4KGm4vnk
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 25, 2026
How Dolly Parton redefined Glastonbury’s Legends slot
13:00 , Lauren Morris
One Sunday teatime back in 2014, the Queen of Country drew one of the biggest crowds Glastonbury has ever seen – outshining that year’s blokey line-up and raising the bar for the now-beloved Legends slot.
https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/music/news/dolly-parton-glastonbury-b3039539.html
Dollywood will remain open after Dolly Parton’s death
12:30 , Lauren Morris
Dollywood will remain open following Dolly Parton’s death, with the Tennessee theme park saying it is doing so in accordance with her wishes.
The park, which Parton helped establish in 1986 after partnering with Herschend Family Entertainment, welcomed visitors on Wednesday, one day after her death at 80. A representative told People that Parton had always emphasised that “the show must go on”.
Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton also shared a tribute to its founder saying: “Dolly’s heart was as vast as the mountains she cherished, and her compassion knew no bounds. She inspired generations to dream boldly and love deeply. While we grieve her loss, we are honoured, and committed to carry her light forward.”
Parton’s connection to Dollywood went far beyond lending it her name. The 165-acre park in Pigeon Forge became one of Tennessee’s biggest attractions and a major part of her legacy in the Great Smoky Mountains, where she grew up. It includes more than 50 attractions, alongside a water park and two resorts.
Dolly Parton: How country music’s most famous face remained an enigma to the end
12:00 , Lauren Morris
“The Queen of Country’s death at the age of 80 has been announced by her family, sparking a global outpouring of grief. While she may have had a look that was easy to replicate, she was unquestionably one of a kind,” writes Kevin E G Perry in this tribute piece.
Read more below:
Has Dolly Parton ever received the Presidential Medal of Freedom?
11:31 , Tom Murray
Dolly Parton has never received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, but that doesn’t mean she was never offered it.
Parton, known for not only her music but also her philanthropy, told Today in 2021 that President Donald Trump offered her the highest civilian honor twice during his first term.
"I couldn't accept it because my husband was ill and then they asked me again about it and I wouldn't travel because of the COVID," she said.
Parton, who made it a point not to get involved with politics during her career, said she heard from then- President Joe Biden about the medal, but, "Now I feel like if I take it, I'll be doing politics, so I'm not sure."
"But I don't work for those awards," she added. "It'd be nice but I'm not sure that I even deserve it. But it's a nice compliment for people to think that I might deserve it."
The Elvis deal Dolly Parton refused and why it paid off
11:00 , Shahana Yasmin
Dolly Parton once turned down the chance to have Elvis Presley record “I Will Always Love You” because his manager wanted a share of the song’s publishing rights.
Presley loved the song and planned to record it, but the night before the session, Colonel Tom Parker told Parton that Elvis would not record a song unless his team received publishing rights or “at least half the publishing”, as Parton recalled.
She refused. “This is the most important copyright in my whole publishing company, and I can’t do that,” she remembered telling him.
“I cried all night,” she told CMT in 2006 about her decision. “It was like the worst thing. You know, it’s like, ‘Oh, my God … Elvis Presley.’”
It was a painful decision at the time, but Parton retained ownership of the composition, which became enormously valuable when Whitney Houston recorded it for The Bodyguard in 1992. Houston’s version spent 14 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, turning Parton’s song into a global standard.
Dolly Parton gave her name to the world’s most famous sheep
10:45 , Shahana Yasmin
Dolly Parton became the namesake of one of the most famous animals in scientific history when the first mammal cloned from an adult cell was named after her.
Dolly the sheep was born at Scotland’s Roslin Institute on July 5 1996, after scientists used a cell taken from the mammary gland of a six-year-old Finn Dorset sheep. She was cloned using a technique called somatic cell nuclear transfer and became the first mammal successfully cloned from an adult cell.
“Dolly was christened by John Bracken, one of the men who paced anxiously about day and night as we waited for the birth of the lamb,” Ian Wilmut, the scientist who led the Roslin Institute team that cloned Dolly, told Nature in 2007.
Dolly lived for six years and died in 2003. Her body was preserved and is now displayed at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.
Dolly Parton turned her fingernails into an instrument for 9 to 5
10:30 , Shahana Yasmin
Dolly Parton’s famous acrylic fingernails became part of the sound of 9 to 5 and they were even credited on the soundtrack.
While writing the song on the set of the 1980 film, Parton did not have her guitar with her, so she used her nails to tap out the rhythm and imitate the sound of a typewriter.
“I used my nails just to get the rhythm when I wasn’t close to my guitar,” she explained in a 1981 interview with KCRA in Sacramento.
Parton demonstrated the technique during the interview, joking: “Ladies and gentlemen, you are now viewing the newest instrument on the market.”
She later explained that her nails were officially credited on the 9 to 5 soundtrack as “nails by Dolly”. The song went on to become one of her signature hits and earned her an Academy Award nomination for best original song.
Dolly Parton’s Dollywood employees can go to college for free
10:15 , Shahana Yasmin
Dolly Parton’s influence on Dollywood extended to a benefit designed to help its employees build lives beyond the theme park: workers can attend college without paying tuition, fees, books, or required supplies.
Through Dollywood’s GROW U programme, employees are eligible for 100 per cent tuition coverage from their first day of employment. The benefit is available regardless of their role in the company, meaning seasonal and frontline workers can pursue education without taking on student debt.
The programme covers more than 150 academic programmes, including degrees and certificates in areas ranging from business and hospitality to healthcare and technology.
Comment: The world’s richest men could learn a lesson from ‘progressive hillbilly’ Dolly Parton
10:00 , Rachel Dobkin
The Independent’s Associate Editor Sean O’Grady writes...
Reflecting on the death of Dolly Parton, a colleague encapsulated her remarkable life outside music in punchy terms: “Dolly was a progressive hillbilly… take that JD Vance!”
Indeed she was. But she was so much more than that...
She was someone who put her money where her mouth is, and used her own vast personal fortune – like her songs, mostly her own work – to do good.
Had she not given so much of her wealth away, she would have died a billionaire. Not in the same class as Elon Musk (estimated worth around $800bn) or Jeff Bezos ($250bn), but plutocratic all the same...
Her activities strike an uncomfortable contrast with the current generation of tech billionaires, far wealthier than she was, but who seem to want to keep their money entirely to themselves and their pet businesses, and, in some cases, indulge in obscene levels of conspicuous consumption.
Read on...
The world’s richest men could learn from ‘progressive hillbilly’ Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton spent 35 years helping protect bald eagles
09:45 , Shahana Yasmin
Four days before Dolly Parton died, Dollywood announced the next chapter of a conservation partnership she had helped sustain for 35 years.
Since 1991, Dollywood and the American Eagle Foundation have worked together to care for bald eagles and educate visitors about America’s national bird. Their partnership included Eagle Mountain Sanctuary at Dollywood, where non-releasable eagles were housed and displayed.
The sanctuary was damaged by a storm earlier this year, and the birds have since been cared for at the American Eagle Foundation’s 50-acre conservation and education campus in Kodak, Tennessee.
On August 21, the organisations announced that those eagles would remain there permanently.
“For 35 years, our partnership with the American Eagle Foundation has allowed millions of Dollywood guests to learn about and appreciate the bald eagle and other birds of prey,” said Eugene Naughton, Dollywood Parks & Resorts President. “We look forward to continuing our work together, and we plan to continue inspiring our guests to care for these remarkable birds and the natural world around us.”
The partnership has also contributed to broader conservation efforts: the American Eagle Foundation says it has successfully released more than 400 bald eagles into the wild.
Dolly Parton expertly shut down this woman who tried to fashion shame her
09:30 , Shahana Yasmin
Dolly Parton's greatest quotes
09:15 , Jacob Stolworthy
Dolly Parton: A life in quotes
Dolly Parton secretly recorded a song for a time capsule – which won’t be opened until 2046
08:45 , Jacob Stolworthy
Dolly Parton secretly recorded new music, which has been sealed inside a time capsule that won’t be opened until the year 2046.
The track, titled “My Place in History”, was placed by the late queen of country in a wooden box at Dollywood’s DreamMore resort, which opened back in 2015.
In her book Songteller: My Life in Lyrics, Parton reveals that the resort’s staff have been specifically instructed to leave the box unopened until the date she specified: what would have been her 100th birthday on 19 January 2046.
Vin Diesel shares surprising Dolly Parton tribute
08:30 , Jacob Stolworthy
The most unexpected tribute to Dolly Parton has rolled in from gruff-voiced Fast & Furious star Vin Diesel, who has shared a tender rendition of her hit “I Will Always Love You”.
I interviewed Dolly Parton – this is what she taught me
08:25 , Jacob Stolworthy
The Independent’s Music Editor Roisin O’Connor writes...
I don’t often get nervous interviewing people, but Dolly Parton was someone I’d idolised since I was a child, driving my family crazy with off-key renditions of “9 to 5” and “Jolene”. Alongside my grandma and Shania Twain, she was one of the three big role models in my life. She was the queen of country music and so much more: a pioneer, a business genius, an exceptional songwriter and storyteller, a producer, a benefactor… in short: a one-of-a-kind woman. As someone who has often been made to feel as though I am “too much” – something I know many women will relate to – Parton seemed to exist to tell you to be more.
O’Connor goes on to say...
When I asked Parton how she wanted to be remembered, I thought she might say as a songwriter, as she had in previous interviews. Instead, she said she wanted to be remembered “as somebody who took her work serious, but not herself. Someone who brought books to children all over the world. For the fact that I managed to make a living doing something I love to do. And as a caring, giving, working girl.”
Read on...
I interviewed Dolly Parton – this is what she taught me
Ricky Schroder's tribute to Parton slammed
08:21 , Tom Murray
Ricky Schroder, who played Dolly Parton’s father in biographical TV movies about the singer’s life, has been branded insensitive for questioning her politics in his tribute.
Alongside a photo of himself with Parton, he wrote: “I didnt agree with her advocating for Transgender & Covid Vaccine support…but Loved her anyway. Thank you for choosing me Dolly to be your Movie Daddy.”
Dolly Parton’s co-star Ricky Schroder sparks outrage over ‘tone deaf’ tribute
The devastated Dolly Parton tribute acts who have to keep on singing
08:15 , Jacob Stolworthy
Dolly Parton tribute acts have revealed that they’ve received a huge number of requests for performances and interviews since the “9 to 5” singer’s death, and have been fielding calls and emails while processing their own grief over the country music icon’s shock passing.
Lauren Morris reports
The devastated Dolly Parton tribute acts who have to keep singing: ‘I haven’t slept’
Dolly Parton's funeral arrangements revealed
08:10 , Jacob Stolworthy
According to TMZ, the singer will be buried in a mausoleum at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Nashville, Tennessee, next to her husband Carl Dean, who died last year. It will be a private ceremony.
Why scientists are mourning Dolly Parton
08:00 , Shahana Yasmin
Dolly Parton’s death has prompted tributes from scientists who remember a less familiar side of her legacy: her contributions to research, public health, and education.
Catherine Heymans, the Astronomer Royal for Scotland, told Nature that Parton had “provided the soundtrack for my PhD” and was “gratefully acknowledged as a key contributor” in her thesis.
World Health Organisation director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also called Parton “an exceptional artist, a true champion of kindness, and ambassador of science and public health”.
My condolences to @DollyParton’s family, friends and fans. Today is a sad day as we mourn an exceptional artist, a true champion of kindness, and ambassador of science and public health.
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) August 25, 2026
Thank you, Dolly, for your music, your generosity and the comfort and joy you brought to so…
Her best-known contribution to research came in March 2020, when she gave $1m to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to establish the Dolly Parton COVID-19 Research Fund. The money helped support early work on an experimental mRNA vaccine that eventually became Moderna’s Covid vaccine, and the fund is acknowledged in the first published phase I trial report.
Dolly Parton was a legend
— Neil Stone (@DrNeilStone) August 25, 2026
She was a great philanthropist..donating a million dollars to Covid vaccine research which went on to save many lives
Thank you for the music and generosity!
A truly great woman
Rest in peace
pic.twitter.com/2aWZx88KNu
Parton raised $500,000 for LeConte Medical Center in Sevier County, Tennessee, which opened in 2010 with a dedicated Dolly Parton Center for Women’s Services. She gave another $1m to Vanderbilt in 2022 for paediatric infectious-disease research.
In February 2026, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital was renamed Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital after an undisclosed “generational” gift from Parton that is funding a new paediatric residency programme, rural telehealth and the recruitment of medical specialists.
Five-minute bell toll marks Dolly Parton’s death in her hometown
07:45 , Shahana Yasmin
A historic bell in Dolly Parton’s home county rang for five minutes on Wednesday in tribute to the singer, one day after her death.
The 1896 bell atop the Sevier County Courthouse was tolled at noon as part of a Day of Mourning declared across the county. Sevier County and the towns of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Pittman Center joined the county school system in the tribute.
Schools across the county also observed a minute of silence at noon, and residents and businesses were asked to do the same.
The tribute was particularly significant in Sevier County, where Parton was born, raised, and attended high school. She grew up in the nearby community of Locust Ridge and remained closely connected to the area throughout her life, later transforming its tourism industry through Dollywood.
Dolly Parton’s work will continue with a slate of posthumous projects
07:30 , Shahana Yasmin
Dolly Parton’s team has revealed the scale of the projects she was developing before her death, from an on-screen avatar to new television series and a biopic.
“Ever the planner, Dolly worked with the team that she handpicked, for the past several years to build a project roadmap that will guide us for decades to come,” Parton’s longtime manager Danny Nozell told The Los Angeles Times.
The immediate schedule includes Dolly Dolls, launching online on 15 September, and Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop in Cornersville, Tennessee, which will mark National Truck Driver Appreciation Week from 13 September.
Guests can begin staying at the SongTeller Hotel in Nashville on 14 September, ahead of its 29 September grand opening. The hotel will also house the 20,000-square-foot Life of Many Colors Museum, while Cup of Ambition Coffee launches online that day before reaching shops in spring 2027.
Other projects include Dolly on the Holly for Christmas 2026, a Kendra Scott 9 to 5 jewellery collection in January 2027, Dolly’s Dog Treats in early 2027 and Dolly Bedding & Home Decor in the third quarter.
Her Broadway musical begins previews in December and opens on 19 January next year, what would’ve been Parton’s 81st birthday.
Beyond those dated projects, Parton’s team says a musical documentary, biopic, docuseries, scripted series, Dolly avatar show and animated Billy the Kid series are also in development.
Nozell said fans can trust that future projects released through official Dolly channels carry her “personal stamp”.
Dolly Parton’s Dollywood fate revealed after Queen of Country’s death
07:15 , Caitlin Hornik
The show must go on. That’s the motto that Dolly Parton’s namesake theme park is abiding by in the wake of the country music legend’s death.
Dollywood, located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, will remain open this week despite the singer’s death at age 80. Parton took over as co-owner and rebranded the park as Dollywood in 1986.
Dollywood confirmed to The Independent that the park “will open as scheduled this week” and that plans for a memorial to Parton will be announced, “in the near future.”
In a statement shared on Instagram, a spokesperson for Dollywood said, “With heavy hearts, the Dollywood family mourns the passing of our beloved Dreamer-in-Chief, Dolly Parton. Everyone at Dollywood shares the sorrow of countless people around the world touched by Dolly’s warmth, wisdom and generous spirit.”
Read on...
Dolly Parton’s Dollywood fate revealed after Queen of Country’s death
Dolly Parton left behind a song nobody can hear until 2046
07:00 , Shahana Yasmin
Dolly Parton left behind at least one song that nobody will be able to hear for another 20 years.
In 2015, Parton recorded “My Place in History” for a time capsule at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort. The song is sealed inside a chestnut box containing both a CD and cassette and is not due to be opened until January 19 2046, what would have been Parton’s 100th birthday.
Parton later admitted she regretted agreeing to the arrangement. “I have regretted that because it was a really good song,” she told Jimmy Fallon in 2022. “I keep wanting them to let me dig it up and put something else in it that’s not as good.”
Watch: Dolly reflects on her legacy before death
06:45 , Rachel Dobkin
Dolly Parton’s former bandmate remembers the ‘best’ person he knew
06:30 , Shahana Yasmin
Garry Murray, an Arkansas musician who spent six months playing fiddle in Dolly Parton’s band, remembered the country star for the way she treated people on and off stage.
Murray, who grew up in Corning before moving to Nashville in 2002, told FOX16/KLRT that he joined Parton’s band after her regular fiddle player became unavailable. He first met her more than 20 years earlier after auditioning for bandleader Kent Wells, and Parton shook his hand with both of hers and told Wells: “He looks pretty and he feels good. If he can play the fiddle, then I think we should hire him.”
He was later called in when Parton’s regular fiddle player was unavailable, joining her for a six-month tour. One stop brought the band to Little Rock, where Murray’s family watched him perform.
He said watching her meet fans was one of his strongest memories: “She was the best I’ve ever seen at making whoever she’s talking to feel like the only person in the room.”
Murray also remembered Parton’s extraordinary work ethic, saying she appeared to sleep only around four hours a night because she was constantly working on something. “She was just the best,” he said.
Harry Styles pays tribute to Dolly Parton at Madison Square Garden
06:15 , Shahana Yasmin
Harry Styles paid tribute to Dolly Parton during the opening night of his 30-show residency at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, telling the New York crowd: “I just wanna give a proper thank you to all the musicians who have inspired me over the years — Dolly, we love you. Thank you so much.”
full video of Harry's Dolly Parton tribute ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/b6QE5gWm5x
— kate (@jeonjkstarcandy) August 27, 2026
Styles then had Parton’s recording of “I Will Always Love You” played through the arena before continuing his show. The 1974 song became one of Parton’s signature recordings and was later transformed into a global hit by Whitney Houston.
In pictures: Fans mourn Queen of Country
06:00 , Rachel Dobkin
Miley Cyrus mourns godmother Dolly Parton: ‘I have an angel by my side’
05:51 , Shahana Yasmin
Miley Cyrus has paid tribute to Dolly Parton, her godmother and lifelong mentor, revealing that one of their final conversations was about “music and metamorphosis”.
“The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share,” Cyrus wrote on Instagram. “Our most sacred moments were private and they’ll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts.” She added: “What I KNOW is Dolly would want me to feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong. I have an angel by my side. I always have.”
Parton became Miley’s godmother in 1992 after growing close to Billy Ray Cyrus while they toured together during the success of “Achy Breaky Heart”. Parton later recalled that Billy Ray told her: “We’re having a girl, and you’ve got to be her godmother!”
Their relationship became part of Cyrus’s public life when Parton appeared as “Aunt Dolly” on Hannah Montana. Cyrus has said her favourite episodes were the ones featuring Parton, telling Variety in March that “that’s how her and I became as close as we are”.
They continued working together musically, including performances of “Jolene” at the 2019 Grammys and “I Will Always Love You” during Cyrus’s 2022 New Year’s Eve special. Parton also appeared on Cyrus’s “Rainbowland”, while Cyrus recorded “Wrecking Ball” for Parton’s 2023 album Rockstar. Their most recent collaboration came in January 2026, when Cyrus joined Parton, Reba McEntire, Queen Latifah, and Lainey Wilson on a new version of “Light of a Clear Blue Morning”.
Cyrus ended her tribute: “I will always love her and want to make her proud.”
Dolly Parton built a business empire far beyond her music
05:30 , Shahana Yasmin
Dolly Parton turned the success of her music career into a sprawling business empire, retaining control of her songwriting while building ventures in tourism, hospitality, food, and entertainment.
Parton’s fortune was estimated at $450m in 2025, with the largest share coming from her 50 per cent stake in Dollywood, according to Forbes. The 165-acre theme park in Pigeon Forge attracts around four million visitors a year.
Parton also retained the rights to her songs, which allowed her to continue collecting royalties as they were recorded and performed.
In June 2026, she opened Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop in Cornersville, Tennessee, a joint venture with longtime manager Danny Nozell and travel-stop operator Gregory H Sachs. A Nashville hotel and museum dedicated to her life are due to open in September, while her Cup of Ambition coffee line is also scheduled to launch nationwide.
Several projects will continue after her death, including the Broadway musical, a forthcoming biopic, documentary series, and avatar show.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library gifted 325m books before her death
05:15 , Shahana Yasmin
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library had gifted more than 325 million books to children by June 2026.
The initiative began in 1995 with an order of just over 1,700 books, and Parton created it after seeing how her father’s inability to read and write had limited his opportunities. The programme initially served children in Sevier County before expanding across Tennessee and then internationally, reaching Canada in 2006, the UK in 2007, Australia in 2013, and Ireland in 2019.
It reached its 100 millionth book in 2018 and its 200 millionth in 2023, before passing 300 million in November 2025. By June this year, more than 3.5 million books were being sent out every month.
Each child receives one free, age-appropriate book every month from birth until they turn five, regardless of their family’s income.
Parton once said that children calling her “the Book Lady” meant more to her than becoming a star.
Jack White revives ‘Jolene’ in emotional Dolly Parton tribute
05:00 , Shahana Yasmin
Jack White brought Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” back into his live set in London on Tuesday night, just hours after news of her death broke.
Performing at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, White played his version of the 1973 country classic, which had been a fixture of the White Stripes’ early live shows. According to setlist.fm, Tuesday’s performance was the first time White had played the song live since 2007, the year the White Stripes announced their split.
White had earlier posted a brief tribute to Parton on Instagram: “Instant Sainthood.”
Grand Ole Opry dedicates Saturday show to Dolly Parton
04:30 , Shahana Yasmin
The Grand Ole Opry will dedicate its Saturday night show to Dolly Parton, honouring a performer who had been part of the institution for more than five decades.
Carly Pearce is among the artists scheduled to perform, bringing a particularly personal connection to the evening. Pearce began her career at Dollywood before Parton surprised her with an invitation to become an official Opry member in 2021.
The Opry has already begun honouring Parton, as Tuesday night’s show opened with Rhonda Vincent performing “Coat of Many Colors”, followed later by “9 to 5” and “Jolene”. Morgan Myles also performed Parton’s “I Will Always Love You”.
The Opry’s marquee will remain dedicated to Parton through Saturday.
Watch: Dolly Parton was exactly the woman we needed her to be
04:15 , Rachel Dobkin
Dolly Parton to be laid to rest beside husband Carl Dean
04:00 , Shahana Yasmin
Dolly Parton will be laid to rest beside her late husband, Carl Dean, at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville, after a small private funeral for immediate family.
The service is being held in accordance with Parton’s wishes, her representatives confirmed to People. “Dolly’s fans and friends from around the world are encouraged to pay tribute to Dolly on social media by tagging Dolly Parton or by leaving a message at www.dollyparton.com,” the statement read. “In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.”
Parton and Dean were married for 58 years before his death in March 2025.
Her nephew Bryan Seaver shared one of her more personal final wishes along with the news of death on Tuesday; she wanted to be buried in “a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to feel comfortable and have some rest”.
Mary Duff honors Dolly: 'An inspiration to us all'
03:42 , Rachel Dobkin
“I was so saddened to learn of the passing of Dolly Parton, an icon of the music industry. A talented songwriter and performer with a unique voice.
“Although she reached the absolute height in her music career she never forgot her humble beginning and the hardships of her early years which inspired so many of her songs, yet despite her early success she reinvented herself and remained relevant to success of generations of her fans, an inspiration to us all.
“I’m very grateful to Dolly for writing the song ‘Yellow Roses’, which has connected me with so many people at shows as I have been singing it every night since turning professional.
“There will be a huge void in the music world with her passing. She will never be forgotten. May her soul rest in eternal peace,” the Irish country and folk singer wrote on Facebook.
In pictures: Dolly Parton throughout the years
03:17 , Rachel Dobkin
David Bellamy recalls what it was like recording with Dolly
02:52 , Rachel Dobkin
David Bellamy, from the country music duo Bellamy Brothers, has recalled the time he recorded with Dolly Parton in 2005 for a duet of their 1979 hit, “If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body (Would You Hold It Against Me).”
Despite Parton being a legendary artist, Bellamy said she would stop to ask the brothers what they thought.
“She would stop and ask you if, you know, if she said, ‘Does that sound all right? You want me to sing that line?’” Bellamy told WFLA.
Judge shouts out Dolly Parton as he strikes down ban on Texas drag shows
02:41 , Josh Marcus
A federal judge name-checked Dolly Parton on Tuesday as he struck down a drag ban law in Texas on the same day the country icon’s death was announced.
In his ruling, Judge David Hittner argued the law, SB 12, was overly broad, poorly defined and infringed on First Amendment rights.
He noted that the legislation, which threatens fines and jail time for people associated with “sexually oriented” performances, could impact a wide variety of performers, including the late Tennessee songstress.
“Just as many people criticized Elvis's signature hip gyrations and were offended by his display of male sexuality, chastised Dolly Parton as a voluptuous sex symbol because of her big hair, flamboyant clothes and breast exposure...there are ‘erotic’ elements in countless popular performances that could be subject to both civil and criminal penalties under S.B. 12,” Hittner wrote.
Read on...
Judge shouts out Dolly Parton as he strikes down ban on Texas drag shows
Tampa City Hall turns pink in tribute to Dolly
02:35 , Rachel Dobkin
Tonight, Tampa will shine pink in honor of the legendary Dolly Parton. 💗
— City of Tampa (@CityofTampa) August 26, 2026
As Dolly once said, “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.”
A colorful tribute to an icon who did exactly that. pic.twitter.com/68WN5g5Riy
The Alabama band honors 'one-of-a-kind entertainer'
02:18 , Rachel Dobkin
“My admiration for Dolly is as high as it can go. She was a one-of-a-kind entertainer. She did it all and did it great! I thank God for Dolly Parton,” band member Randy Owen said in a statement.
Has Dolly Parton ever received the Presidential Medal of Freedom?
02:04 , Rachel Dobkin
Dolly Parton has never received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, but that doesn’t mean she was never offered it.
Parton, known for not only her music but also her philanthropy, told Today in 2021 that President Donald Trump offered her the highest civilian honor twice during his first term.
"I couldn't accept it because my husband was ill and then they asked me again about it and I wouldn't travel because of the COVID," she said.
Parton, who made it a point not to get involved with politics during her career, said she heard from then- President Joe Biden about the medal, but, "Now I feel like if I take it, I'll be doing politics, so I'm not sure."
"But I don't work for those awards," she added. "It'd be nice but I'm not sure that I even deserve it. But it's a nice compliment for people to think that I might deserve it."
Kesha pays tribute to Dolly with cover of 'Old Flames' at Pittsburgh concert
01:48 , Rachel Dobkin
Singer Kesha has paid tribute to Dolly with a cover of “Old Flames (Can't Hold a Candle to You)” at her concert in Pittsburgh Wednesday.
“For those of you who don’t know, I come from a long lineage of songwriters and before I was born, my mom actually wrote a song for Dolly Parton. And that song bought us a house, like a roof. That song put me through school,” Kesha told her fans of the 1980 hit, per CBS News.
ABC to air 9 to 5 film Sunday night
01:34 , Rachel Dobkin
For those who want to pay tribute to Dolly Parton by watching9 to 5, ABC will air the 1980 film Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET, according to reports.
Parton starred in the comedy with Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda, and she also wrote the song “9 to 5” for it, which became one of her most popular songs.
Sandra Bullock recalls time she and Dolly slept in 'side-by-side' tour buses
01:18 , Rachel Dobkin
Actress Sandra Bullock has recalled the time she and Dolly Parton slept in “side-by-side” tour buses while working together on the 2005 comedy Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous.
“I hated flying for the longest time, and I used to just take a tour bus everywhere and I would sleep on the tour bus,” Bullock told People Wednesday.
“[Parton] came to Vegas, and she pulled her tour bus up next to mine—I think it was pink, of course—And I said, ‘Okay, So, Miss Parton, we’ve got a hotel and room for you that’s massive.’ And she goes, ‘No, I’ll stay in the bus.’ ”
“So she and I slept side-by-side on the bus,” Bullock said.
Joni Mitchell honors Dolly
01:09 , Rachel Dobkin
“Remembering Dolly Parton, whose unmistakable voice was matched by her warmth, wit, and generosity,” the singer wrote on X.
Chris Isaak pays tribute to 'gracious and gorgeous' Dolly
Thursday 27 August 2026 00:56 , Rachel Dobkin
“I’m saddened to hear Dolly’s gone. Every time I saw her she seemed so positive and full of energy. In person she was gracious and gorgeous.
“I remember doing a Kenny Rogers special with Dolly. There was a moment when she and I were backstage. I asked her if she could tell me if a story I heard was true and she said OK. I said I’d heard that she once bought Porter Wagoner‘s song catalog when he was on hard times and a few years later, Porter asked if he could buy his songs back. She said no, she wouldn’t sell him back his songs but would give him back his songs.
“I asked if that was true. She said yes and nothing more. I think she didn’t like to speak of her good deeds, but being a songwriter, knowing how much songs mean to a writer, it made me have great respect for her. God bless her,” the singer wrote on X.
Peter Gabriel: 'Dolly was the essence of the American dream'
Thursday 27 August 2026 00:41 , Rachel Dobkin
“Dolly was the essence of the American dream. She came from nothing, was entirely self created, hard working, hard selling – always heavily made up but made up with warmth, wit and compassion and a wonderful musical talent that could reach and touch anyone who heard her.
“It’s easy now to forget she was the butt of so many jokes, so many ignorant and sexist jokes, but with her extraordinary repartee they all bounced off her like water off a duck’s back putting her right back in the driver’s seat. It left her always looking out and defending others being targeted, like her longtime support for the LBGTQ community,” the singer wrote in a blog post.
“A world without Dolly feels empty. Maybe the Smoky Mountains should now have their own giant Rushmore-like carving of their own daughter, Dolly – the little girl who grew up to become the Queen of America,” the post continued.
Streams of Dolly's music on Spotify surge over 2,000% after death
Thursday 27 August 2026 00:27 , Rachel Dobkin
Streams of Dolly Parton's music on Spotify have surged more than 2,000 percent after her death.
Spotify streams of Parton’s music increased about 2,320 percent in the U.S. and about 1,260 percent globally, Variety reported.
“Jolene” was the most-shared of Parton’s songs on Spotify, followed by “I Will Always Love You” and “Islands in the Stream,” according to the entertainment outlet.
Mariah Carey honors Dolly: 'I will always love you'
Thursday 27 August 2026 00:13 , Rachel Dobkin
“Rest in Peace Dolly, one of the most brilliant, iconic, and prolific artists of all time. Your kindness and generosity will never be forgotten. I will always love you,” the singer wrote on X.
Dolly racked up 11 Guinness World Records in her lifetime. Here's what they are
Wednesday 26 August 2026 23:58 , Rachel Dobkin
- Most consecutive decades with Top 10 album entries on the Billboard country chart (female)
- Longest span of No.1 hits on the US Top Country Albums chart (female)
- Most decades with a Top 20 hit on the US Hot Country Songs chart
- Most Top 10 entries on the US Top Country Albums chart (female)
- Most studio albums released by a female country singer
- First country singer to be nominated for the EGOT
- Longest span of No.1 hits on the US Hot Country Songs chart
- Most Grammy nominations for a female country artist
- Most hits on the US Hot Country Songs chart by a female artist
- Most decades on the US Hot Country Songs chart (female)
- Most No.1 hits on the US Hot Country Songs chart by a female artist
Allison Janney honors Dolly: 'She made every person feel seen and valued'
Wednesday 26 August 2026 23:43 , Rachel Dobkin
Actress Allison Janney, who starred in the original Broadway show 9 to 5: The Musical, paid tribute to Dolly Parton.
“I feel so incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to work with Dolly. She had that rare ability to light up every room she walked into, not just with her extraordinary talent, but with her graciousness, her humor, and the love and support she gave so generously to everyone in this cast.
“There was something truly magical about being in her presence. She made every person feel seen and valued, and being with her really did feel like being in the presence of an angel.
“May she rest in peace, knowing how much joy, kindness, and love she gave to all of us down here. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished,” she wrote on Instagram.
Billboard in London's Piccadilly Circus pays tribute to Dolly Parton
Wednesday 26 August 2026 23:30 , Ellie Muir
As countries across the world honor Parton, a screen billboard in the heart of London’s Piccadilly Circus has displayed a tribute to Dolly Parton.
Tennessee politician proposes '9 to 5 Day' in Dolly Parton's memory
Wednesday 26 August 2026 23:15 , Ellie Muir
A state senator in Dolly Parton’s home state of Tennessee has proposed to name September 25 as “9 to 5 Day” to honor the late Dolly Parton.
“Dolly will go down as one of the most legendary Tennesseans of all time,” State Sen. Jessie Seal, a Republican representing the state’s 8th Senate district, said in a press release.
“She embodied the true Volunteer State spirit like no other,” Seal said. “While every day is a fitting day to honor Dolly, ‘9 to 5 Day’ will give Tennesseans an opportunity each year to set aside a little extra time to listen to one of her most iconic songs and reflect on the once-in-a-century legend.”
Stevie Nicks remembers 'best week ever' in the recording studio with Dolly Parton
Wednesday 26 August 2026 22:52 , Ellie Muir
Stevie Nicks has shared a tribute to Dolly Parton, recalling a week they spent together recording the song “What Has Rock And Roll Ever Done For You” for the singer’s 2023 album Rockstar.
“A week with Dolly was like a master class for me. I tried to be a sponge ~ and learn everything I could learn from her ~ in a very few days,” said Nicks. “Learning from her was easy because she was a really good teacher. I think she saw me as a really good student; I just tried to listen.”
“She said she could become a rock star ~ and I watched her do it. When I was there she was not even close to being finished gathering more rock & roll songs that she wanted to sing.
So, Dolly, Dolly, Dolly ~
Rock and Roll & Country ~
Carry all those songs with you ~
Right up to heaven ~
Sing your songs to all those you meet
This will be their blessing
Dolly, how we’ll miss you
There’ll never be another you ~
And I will always love you
Love Love Love,
TRIBUTE: How Dolly Parton taught millions of women to be unapologetically glam
Wednesday 26 August 2026 22:35 , Ellie Muir
“Part of Dolly Parton’s legacy was also her power to inspire women to be unapologetically glam through her unforgettable style: her signature peroxide wigs, rhinestone jumpsuits, bulletproof push-up bras, shoulder pads, red nails and six-inch stiletto heels.”
Read the full tribute below...
How Dolly Parton taught millions of women to be unapologetically glam
Sheryl Crow gets behind petition to rename Nashville airport for Dolly Parton
Wednesday 26 August 2026 22:25 , Ellie Muir
A petition calling for Nashville International Airport to be renamed in honor of Dolly Parton has received support from singer Sheryl Crow.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the Change.org petition to rename the airport to “Dolly Parton International Airport” has reached more than 95,000 signatures.
Crow publicly endorsed the effort, while Tennessee state Rep. Todd Warner pledged to introduce legislation that would rename the airport.
Nashville's Grand Ole Opry to dedicate broadcast to Dolly Parton this weekend
Wednesday 26 August 2026 22:08 , Ellie Muir
Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry will dedicate Saturday night’s broadcast to Parton’s extraordinary legacy and her contributions to country music.
“In honor of Dolly’s incredible spirit of giving, a portion of ticket sales for Saturday’s show will be donated to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library,” the country music institution said on Instagram. “Join us in person or listen live on @wsmradio as we celebrate the life of a legend!“
Jelly Roll shares tribute to Dolly Parton: 'We lost a legend'
Wednesday 26 August 2026 22:03 , Ellie Muir
Tennessee-born artist Jelly Roll shared a tribute to Parton while guest-hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live! Tuesday night, praising her as “an inspiration to so many, myself included.”
“We lost a legend today, the great Dolly Parton,” he told the audience. “She was such an inspiration to so many, myself included.”
He continued: “We’re both from Tennessee, and she meant a lot to my family, y’all. We used to sit around the kitchen table and listen to her music together as a family. I’ll never forget it.”
Dolly Parton had projects in the works when she died, her manager says
Wednesday 26 August 2026 21:18 , Ellie Muir
Parton‘s longtime manager Danny Nozell has revealed that the singer had been working on forthcoming projects up until her death.
“Dolly worked up until the day she died. She loved seeing her dreams come to life and loved knowing her work brought people joy. Ever the planner, Dolly worked with the team that she handpicked for the past several years to build a project roadmap that will guide us for decades to come,” said Nozell.
“As the leader of the team responsible for overseeing her legacy, we will ensure the many dreams she had yet to fulfill are brought to life. Many projects were in various stages of development, and we want to be transparent with her fans about this fact. If you see unreleased music, products, books, experiences and campaigns launched through official Dolly Parton channels, you can have confidence in knowing that she placed her personal stamp on it,“ he added.
Projects in the pipeline include a Dolly avatar show, a Dolly Musical documentary, a Dolly biopic, a Dolly docuseries, a Dolly scripted series, a Billy the Kid animated series and more to be revealed at a later date, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Bebe Rexha pays tribute: 'You showed generations of women that there is strength in knowing exactly who you are'
Wednesday 26 August 2026 21:02 , Ellie Muir
Bebe Rexha reflected on her time working with Parton in a tribute on Instagram.
The singers worked together on the song “Seasons,” released on Rexha’s 2023 Bebe album.
Rexha shared footage from the music video for the song, writing: Dear Dolly, Getting to sing with you was one of those dreams I never really believed would become real until it did,” she began. “I remember receiving your signed letter and thinking how incredibly special it was that someone as legendary as you could still make another person feel so seen. And then I got to work with you.”
“What I remember most wasn’t just your voice or your talent. It was your energy. Your class. Your kindness. Your humor. And I still remember being on set looking at you thinking, how is her corset tighter than mine and are heels higher than mine,” wrote Rexha. “You were completely done up, completely glamorous, and somehow still had more energy than everyone in the room.”
“I loved how unapologetically you were yourself. Watching your interviews over the years taught me that you never needed to make yourself smaller or to make other people comfortable,” she continued. “You could be glamorous and brilliant, funny and strong, feminine and powerful, all at the same time.”
She continued: “You showed generations of women that there is strength in knowing exactly who you are.”
Dolly Parton’s most iconic fashion moments from rhinestones to denim
Wednesday 26 August 2026 20:49 , Caitlin Hornik
Take a look back at the Queen of Country’s most iconic looks from across her seven-decade career...
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Dolly Parton’s most iconic fashion moments from rhinestones to denim
Dolly’s final collaborator Belles speaks out
Wednesday 26 August 2026 20:36 , Caitlin Hornik
The 27-year-old country singer collaborated with Dolly on “Son of Jolene,” the song described as a modern continuation of the Queen of Country’s original tune.
Belles told People she was doing a radio interview speaking about her love for Dolly when news of her death broke.
“I literally thought it was a joke. I couldn’t believe it,” she recalls of her initial shock,” Belles told the outlet.
Belles said she was “so grateful and honored” to have worked with Dolly.
Asked about the “9 to 5” singer’s legacy, Belles said: “It’s her generosity, and she shared so much with me and so many other female artists and just the world and even just all of her charities. I mean, she just has left an incredible legacy.”
Dolly Parton hotel opens soon in Nashville – a Broadway musical will follow later this year
Wednesday 26 August 2026 20:30 , Ellie Muir
Parton’s legacy will continue to live on with her SongTeller Hotel, in the heart of downtown Nashville, opening soon, while a Broadway show will follow.
The hotel is located in the city’s vibrant entertainment and music district and is the late singer’s “love letter to the city,” the welcoming message from Parton on the hotel’s website says.
Meanwhile, the biographical show DOLLY: A True Original Musical comes to Broadway’s St. James Theatre later this year, with previews starting in December.
Barry Gibb: Dolly was 'a gigantic talent'
Wednesday 26 August 2026 20:20 , Caitlin Hornik
Founding member of the Bee Gees, Barry Gibb, shared a tribute to Dolly Parton on Instagram.
“Dolly was next to me at the microphone and we were reminiscing about when we made ‘Islands in the Stream’ amongst other memories. She suddenly turned to me and said, ‘Where we are standing right now is where I wrote ‘Jolene’ and ‘I Will Always Love You’.’
“This is how I remember Dolly, a gigantic talent possessed by an artist who was unreachable. Her songs were the greatest and she was the greatest, no matter what, she will live on. Whenever she entered a room she sparkled and I believe she always will.
“I send my deepest love and regards to her family. We will all miss you Dolly.”
Dolly Parton was universally beloved
Wednesday 26 August 2026 20:15 , Caitlin Hornik
News of Dolly Parton’s death spread around the globe Tuesday prompting an outpouring of support from politicians and artists across aisles and genres. Parton was the ultimate equalizer.
Kevin Perry reports:
Americans can’t agree on anything. Except how much they loved Dolly Parton
Parton's legacy is kept alive at Dollywood, theme park president says
Wednesday 26 August 2026 19:50 , Ellie Muir
Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton reflected on the future of the theme park in light of the singer’s death.
“I want to speak directly to you to make sure you realize she’s alive and well here,” he said. “I know a lot of people are concerned that things are going to change without Dolly being present here, and I want to assure you that it’s not.”
Dollywood, which has been named after Parton for 40 years, remained open today, just “as Dolly wanted,” the park said in a release yesterday.
Dolly Parton had already shared what song she wanted at her funeral
Wednesday 26 August 2026 19:32 , Ellie Muir
Dolly Parton revealed in a 2014 interview that the song she would want played at her funeral would be the gospel country song “If We Never Meet Again.”
Plans for the funeral are already in place. “At Dolly’s request, a small, private service will be held for immediate family,” the singer’s team shared in a statement.
Dolly Parton named the song she wanted at her funeral more than a decade ago
