Dolly Parton at the Glastonbury Festival. Alamy Stock Photo
RIP

'I'll think of you each step of the way': Tributes pour in for Dolly Parton

The legendary American singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist died at the age of 80 in Nashville, Tennessee on Tuesday.
10.56pm, 25 Aug 2026
17.5k
26

LAST UPDATE | 26 Aug

TRIBUTES ARE BEING paid around the world to country music icon Dolly Parton, who died on Tuesday. 

Her family announced that the singer, songwriter, philanthropist, actress, playwright and author had passed away in Nashville, Tennessee at the age of 80.

“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,” a statement said. 

Her management team said Parton died at the Vanderbil-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville surrounded by loved ones “after bravely facing a brief battle with cancer”. 

“At Dolly’s request, a small, private service will be held for immediate family,” a statement on her website reads. 

US President Donald Trump announced the lowering of flags across the US for a week following the news, while the Empire State Building lights turned to a pink sparkle to honour the late Parton.

Meanwhile, tributes have poured in from musicians, actors and others worldwide. 

Jane Fonda paid tribute to her 9 to 5 co-star, describing the country music superstar as “so present, so powerful, so generous and playful that she is woven into all our lives and hearts forever”.

Lily Tomlin, who also starred in the 1980 film, posted a black and white picture of herself and Dolly decades earlier, captioning it simply: “No words.”

Taylor Swift said Parton was “true grace and true grit, all in one dazzling person”.

“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,” the pop superstar said.

Last month, Parton thanked Swift and then-fiance Travis Kelce in an Instagram post for their $2 million (€1.71 million) donation to her non-profit, Imagination Library, adding she was “blown away” by the gesture.

Swift’s statement continued: “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.”

Paul McCartney paid tribute to the country star in a heartfelt post on Instagram describing Parton as a “magnificent star” and “wonderful woman” who he met at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, country music’s most well-known venue and where Dolly Parton first appeared at age 13.

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.”

Beyoncé, who worked with Parton on her 2024 album Cowboy Carter, said in a statement on her website: “Dolly, you were the barometer. The north star. Bold and brilliant. Talented and tenacious. You taught so many lessons on how to be uniquely oneself. I am grateful for your art, your heart, your generosity, your humor, your entrepreneurship.”

Popstar Sabrina Carpenter also paid tribute to the country star, who featured on the deluxe version of her song Please Please Please.

“I will cherish our laughter and conversations and I will keep your wisdom, your playful outlook on life, and perfect sense of humor in my pocket for the rainy days,” she said. 

Julia Roberts paid tribute to her Steel Magnolias co-star, telling Page Six in a statement: “Dolly was a magical and joyous human. I hold knowing her as a treasure in my life. The sun has dimmed today.”

Sally Field, who played M’Lynn Eatenton in the 1989 film, posted on Instagram: “If there are truly angels on earth, then we have just lost one. Dolly Parton. There will never be another. I adored her with all my heart and will always cherish our time together. Forever. Rest in peace beautiful Dolly.”

Rapper Eminem shared a letter that Parton wrote to him when he was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, writing: “I’m sorry we never got a chance to meet, but getting this note from Dolly really had an impact on me. She definitely didn’t have to take the time to do it.

“Even for a kid who mostly listened to rap music, she was an icon,” he said.

The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, country music’s most well-known venue and where Dolly first appeared at age 13, paid tribute to the late singer on Instagram. 

“There is no doubt Dolly’s mark on the world, and on us here at the Grand Ole Opry, will be deeply felt for generations to come. She taught us to always lead with kindness, generosity and compassion,” the post said.

“May her legacy live on through her songs, the lives she touched, and the countless artists she inspired. There will never, ever be another one like her. We will always love you, Dolly.” 

Buckingham Palace also paid tribute to “the late, great Dolly, who brought joy, comfort and inspiration to so many – including the millions of children given free books through her Imagination Library.”

The statement was accompanied by a video showing the band of the British Army’s Coldstream Guards playing her song 9 to 5 during the Changing of the Guard at the palace in London this morning. 

In Ireland, the X account for the Late Late show shared a video of Dolly’s 2002 performance on the show. “There will never be another quite like her,” the post said.

Singer Carole King said her “heart was breaking”. She wrote: “In addition to her musical talents, she was an exemplary human being.”

Fellow country star Reba McEntire hailed Dolly for “all the wonderful things you did for us here on earth.”

“There will never ever be another you,” she said. 

Country star Kacey Musgraves took to X to mourn the passing of a legend of the genre. She said: “The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden.”

Singer Dionne Warwick – who collaborated with Dolly on the 2023 song Peace Like A River – said her heart was “heavy” and she would miss Dolly’s jokes.

Country singer Keith Urban shared: “Heartbroken today. Honestly… I have no words right now.”

Related Reads
Dolly Parton's literacy legacy: How singer gave millions of books to children around the world
From Páidí Ó Sé's pub to Glastonbury: Dolly Parton's best moments and performances

“Instant sainthood,” rocker Jack White, who covered one of Dolly’s most famous hits Jolene, said on Instagram.

Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger honoured the singer in a heartfelt tribute on Instagram including a photograph of the pair together.

He said: “What a wonderful songwriter and singer Dolly was. She brought so many people together, we will all miss her so much.”

The Muppets’ official Instagram page also paid tribute to the star. It shared: “She filled the world with light and we are so grateful for every second we got to spend with her onstage and off.”

In 1986, Miss Piggy and Kermit appeared on Dolly’s TV variety show, Dolly, with The Muppets’ official Instagram page also paying tribute.

Actor, singer and Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane wrote on X that “the world is a dimmer place without her.”

“I had the extraordinary experience of working with her on ‘The Orville,’ and it was a joy to discover that she really was exactly the person we all hoped she was,” he wrote on X.

Tributes from across the political spectrum have also poured in for Dolly.

Trump said the icon’s death is a “true loss for millions of people.”

“Very sad to report that Dolly Parton, one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER, has just passed away,” Trump posted on his Truth Social network. “There has never been anyone like her, and never will.”

Meanwhile, New York’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani, said Dolly’s passing was “truly heartbreaking.”

“Dolly Parton was an extraordinary person and an irreplaceable champion of the working class. We are a better country because of her,” he said in a post on x.

US Senator Bernie Sanders called her “one of the great entertainers of our era” but also “a lifelong philanthropist and advocate for literacy, education, LGBTQ+ rights, healthcare and disaster relief”.

Democratic Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer wrote simply: “Rest in peace, Dolly Parton – a true legend and force for good. May her memory be a blessing.”

With additional reporting from AFP and PA.

Author
View 26 comments
Send Tip or Correction
Close
26 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel

     
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds
    The Journal supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at https://www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1800 208 080 or email: mailto:info@presscouncil.ie