Dolly Parton’s death at age 80 has prompted an extraordinary wave of tributes from entertainers, political leaders and public figures, with many remembering not only the country music legend’s songs but the generosity that made her one of America’s most widely admired celebrities.
Parton died Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in Nashville, her family announced. Her nephew Bryan Seaver delivered the news in a video posted to her social media accounts, fulfilling a request Parton had made years earlier that he be the person to make the announcement when the time came. Her exact cause of death has not been disclosed.
© Miller Mobley/NBC via Getty ImagThe singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist leaves behind a career spanning roughly seven decades, with classics including “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.” She also built a philanthropic legacy through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, her children's literacy program that has distributed hundreds of millions of books.
As news of her death spread, the reactions made clear just how far Parton’s influence extended beyond Nashville.
Reba McEntire mourns her “buddy” Dolly Parton
For Reba McEntire, the loss was intensely personal. The longtime friend and fellow country superstar shared an emotional message shortly after Parton’s death was announced. “Well, I just got the news that my buddy Dolly passed onto the higher and greater side,” McEntire began.
“Dolly, thank you for all the wonderful things you did for us here on earth,” she continued. “Your love, your music and you gave so much with your huge huge heart.”
© Getty ImagesMcEntire then put into words a sentiment appearing again and again in tributes to the singer: “There will never ever be another you.”
She said fans would “remember and cherish every memory and every note” Parton played and sang before imagining her friend reunited with loved ones in heaven. “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,” McEntire wrote.
McEntire also revealed how deeply she valued her personal memories with Parton, writing, “I’ll never forget the first time I met you and I’ll never forget our last conversation. I hold it with love in my heart.” She closed with a fitting farewell: “I will always love you, Reba.”
Lauren Sánchez Bezos remembers how Dolly Parton changed her life
Lauren Sánchez Bezos shared another deeply personal tribute, describing Parton as an artist whose music had been present throughout her life long before the two women knew each other. “Dolly is gone and my heart is so broken,” Sánchez Bezos wrote.
“I grew up on her music. I knew every song by heart. I still do. She was there for the best days of my life and the worst ones, and she never even knew it. That’s what she did for millions of us.”
Their relationship eventually became more personal. In 2022, Jeff Bezos and Sánchez selected Parton to receive the Bezos Courage & Civility Award, which came with $100 million for Parton to direct toward charitable causes. Sánchez said at the time that she felt honored to be part of the work being done by recipients including Parton.
In her tribute Tuesday, Sánchez Bezos reflected on that experience. “Then I got to know her, and somehow she was more than the legend,” she wrote. “She gave our Courage and Civility award its meaning, not the other way around.”
Sánchez Bezos also highlighted the motivation behind Parton’s philanthropy, particularly her devotion to children and literacy. “She said she’d always tried to put her money where her heart is. Her heart was with kids. It always was.” Parton’s Imagination Library has distributed more than 300 million free books to children around the world.
© Getty Images“The songs will keep playing. We all know the words,” Sánchez Bezos concluded. “Thank you, Dolly. I will always love you.”
Hillary Clinton remembers Dolly Parton’s “great heart”
Hillary Clinton focused on the unusual combination of artistry and public service that defined Parton’s life. “Dolly Parton did all the good she could, for all the people she could, for as long as ever she could,” Clinton wrote in a tribute shared on Instagram.
“From her legendary songwriting to the Imagination Library, which sent 1 million books a month to children across the country, she was the best of America.”
© Michael Ochs ArchivesClinton ended simply: “Dolly, we’ll miss your great heart.”
Donald Trump orders flags lowered for Dolly Parton
President Donald Trump also paid tribute, announcing an unusually prominent national honor for Parton. “Very sad to report that Dolly Parton, one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER, has just passed away,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “This is a true loss for millions of people. There has never been anyone like her, and never will.”
Trump announced that American flags would be lowered to half-staff for one week beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Parton’s honor. “Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you,” he concluded.
© Getty ImagesTrump previously offered Parton the Presidential Medal of Freedom twice, but she declined. She later said she also turned down the honor when it was offered by President Joe Biden because accepting it could be perceived as political.
Kacey Musgraves, Trace Adkins and Hollywood stars honor Dolly Parton
Country music stars quickly joined McEntire in mourning one of the genre’s most influential figures. Kacey Musgraves reacted with a short but emotional message: “Dolly. This really really hurts.”
Trace Adkins remembered the person he knew behind the famous rhinestones and towering blond hair. “It is indeed rare for the world, collectively, to express sorrow for someone’s passing,” Adkins wrote. “I knew her to be the angel that they think she was, and I’ll miss her.”
He ended his tribute with another reference to Parton’s signature composition: “Dolly, I’ll always love you.”
© WireImageTributes also came from stars including Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Khloé Kardashian, Jamie Lee Curtis, Keke Palmer, Pedro Pascal, Lily Tomlin and Maren Morris.
Author J.K. Rowling singled out Parton’s literacy work, calling the Imagination Library “the best contribution to child literacy ever made by a celebrity.” Rowling recalled once meeting Parton backstage at a talk show and being left “completely tongue-tied and starstruck.”
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library becomes central to her legacy
The celebrity reactions to Dolly Parton’s death repeatedly return to the same two parts of her life: her music and her generosity. Her family appears determined to keep both parts of that legacy alive.
Instead of flowers, Parton’s family has asked mourners to donate to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, according to statements released following her death. A small private service for immediate family is expected to be held at a later date.
© Getty ImagesThe literacy program began in Tennessee and ultimately expanded far beyond Parton’s home state, sending free books to young children regardless of family income. Parton was one of the rare entertainers whose legacy could be measured in No. 1 songs and Grammy Awards, but also in books arriving in children’s mailboxes.
And as Reba McEntire put it, “There will never ever be another you.”
Rest in peace, Dolly Parton.
