The icon died at the age of 80.
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Dolly Parton died at the age of 80 on Tuesday (Aug. 25), marking a seismic loss for both the music industry and culture as a whole.
In the time since the news was announced in a video message by her nephew Bryan Seaver — who served as her head of security for more than 20 years — countless artists have attempted to put the incomprehensible into words with posts on social media expressing grief and disbelief over her passing, as well as awe for the country icon’s singular legacy. One of them was fellow country queen and longtime friend Reba McEntire, who shared a carousel of photos of herself and Parton on Instagram and wrote, “There will never ever be another you … 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.”
Paul McCartney made a thoughtful statement on Instagram, sharing a black-and-white photo of himself meeting Parton and Porter Wagoner at the Grand Ole Opry. “She was such a wonderful woman,” the former Beatle wrote. “She was so bubbly and full of life it is difficult to take in the news that she has passed. 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.”
Elton John wrote on his Story that he was “shocked and devastated” to hear that Parton had died, calling her “a giant of an artist — unique and irreplaceable, with the kindest heart.”
Beyoncé also shared a tribute to Parton on her official website, calling the country legend “the barometer” and “the North Star.” “Bold and brilliant. Talented and tenacious,” she wrote, adding that Parton “taught so many lessons on how to be unique oneself.” Beyoncé, who worked with Parton on Cowboy Carter, thanked her for her “art,” “heart,” “generosity,” “humor” and “entrepreneurship.” “I’m honored that I had the privilege to work with you. I will treasure that forever,” she continued. “Thank you for your profound impact on the world.”
Sabrina Carpenter, who collaborated with Parton on a new version of “Please Please Please,” also mourned the country star on Instagram. Sharing screenshots from the song’s music video, Carpenter recalled meeting Parton for the first time and thinking, “she really is an angel walking the earth” and “we look like we could be sisters!” She said she would cherish their “laughter and conversations” and carry Parton’s “wisdom, your playful outlook on life, and perfect sense of humor” with her. “There will never be another you and how lucky are we all to have experienced your singular magic as well as your once in a lifetime voice, songs, and heart,” Carpenter wrote. “Your light will be something the world will search forever to find again.”
“What a wonderful songwriter and singer Dolly was,” Mick Jagger wrote on X. “She brought so many people together, we will all miss her so much.”
Billy Ray Cyrus, a longtime family friend of Parton’s, shared a statement as well. “Dolly recently sent me a beautiful message, telling me she loved me with her whole heart,” he said. “I will always love her in the same way ….. with my whole heart … and I always will.”
“Dolly Parton had a way of making everyone feel special, and seen, and welcomed, and as if you were old friends,” Kelly Clarkson wrote on X. “I will miss her heart and her voice as I am sure millions will. What an incredible gift and talent she was and still is with an amazing catalogue of art she has left behind for all of us.”
George Strait also took a moment to mourn, writing on his Instagram Story, “You’ve had such a huge impact on so many people all over the world, @dollyparton. We will all miss you.”
“I will certainly miss her laughter, jokes and her being,” Dionne Warwick wrote on Instagram, sharing a sweet photo of herself and Parton holding hands. “Rest well and in total peace my friend. My heart is heavy.”
Jack White simply posted an old photo of Parton on Instagram and wrote, “Instant Sainthood,” while Waylon Jennings shared a throwback snap of himself with the late star captioned, “We will always love you Dolly.”
“The death of Dolly Parton is as big as Elvis,” stated Don McLean on Instagram. “This rocks the country and the world in the same way and we won’t get over this for a long time. God bless this beautiful girl.”
Cyndi Lauper wrote on Instagram, “It’s hard for me to imagine the world without Dolly … She used her art, her fame and her money to help so many people. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve thought to myself, ‘What would Dolly do?’”
Celine Dion shared a photo of Parton with the heartfelt caption: “Dolly…you were pure light, with a kind heart and a generous spirit. We will now be missing one of the most joyful voices this world has ever known. Thank you for the music, the laughter, and the love you gave us all. We will always love you.”
Barbra Streisand shared a photo with Parton and wrote, “So sorry to hear about Dolly – she was a true force of nature,” while Paul Stanley posted on X, “We have lost a true icon … A ray of sunshine is gone.”
Sheryl Crow shared photos with Parton and wrote, “There is a hole in the universe … I did not know her well but I loved her like family… we all did. She was an incredible story teller musically and in real life.”
Parton’s death comes nearly a year and a half after her husband of about 60 years, Carl Dean, died at the age of 82. The last month of the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer’s life was also marked by loss, with her brother Denver dying at the age of 82 in August.
“Dolly. This really really hurts,” Kacey Musgraves wrote on X, adding in other posts, “The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden … So glad she’s with her Carl Dean. No one talk to me today.”
Brad Paisley shared a clip of his duet with Parton, “When I Get Where I’m Going,” on Instagram. “I never imagined this day would come,” he wrote. “Getting to know Dolly was life changing, but not just for me. For everyone. She seemed immortal.”
Kimberly Perry of The Band Perry shared an emotional story of Parton giving her a pep talk during a tough moment on Instagram and added: “She is my hero. My queen. There will never be another her.”
“The Daniels family is devastated to hear of the passing of a genuine American institution, @dollyparton,” reads a post on Charlie Daniels’ profile. “Her impact on music – not just country – entertainment and pop culture in general is unparalleled.”
Maggie Rogers shared a video of herself mournfully covering Parton’s 1977 hit “Here You Come Again” and wrote on Instagram, “one of the greatest songwriters of all time … thank you thank you a million times dolly.”
“I’ve said often in my life, ‘What will the world be without Dolly?’” Carly Pearce wrote on Instagram. “From the time I was a little girl, I wanted to be just like her … Since then, I’ve had the privilege of not only working with Dolly, but getting to know her. She was exactly who we all hoped she would be — kind, funny, gracious, and one of a kind. Heaven got a whole lot sassier, funnier, and brighter today.”
Kid Rock called Parton “simply The G.O.A.T” and wrote, “Thanks for the songs, the laughs, the humility and grace. Without a doubt a woman who God truly has his hands on.”
Shania Twain, who considered Parton a mentor and hero, shared an emotional message on Instagram with a clip of a performance of “Coat of Many Colors” that the pair shared. “Dolly was a pure light sent from heaven. My mentor is gone. My songwriting teacher and hero of grace and humility,” she wrote. “There is a hole in my heart but the joy of just the thought of her smile will continue to fill me with inspiration for as long as I live.” Twain continued, “I will cherish this moment performing Coat of Many Colors with Dolly forever. Goodbye Dolly. Rest in peace, beautiful angel.”
Billy Strings wrote that Parton has gone on to “take her spot in the angel band,” adding, “I only wish I could hear the sound.”
Brandi Carlile wrote of her friend and collaborator: “Dolly traded in her butterfly wings today. I felt her leaving all week and I’ve been singing ‘Coat Of Many Colors’ with I’m With Her and asking folks to pray everyday. I don’t even know why.” Read her full statement here.
Parton’s “There Was Jesus” collaborator, Zach Williams, shared a handful of photos of himself and Parton alongside a heartfelt message on his page. “Your songs, your faith, and the way you loved people impacted me more than you probably ever will know,” he wrote. “Thank you for the road you paved, the music you gave us, and the example you set for artists like me. Country music, and my own journey wouldn’t be the same without you.”
“I am in shock,” said KC of KC and The Sunshine Band in a statement shared with Billboard. “She was one of the sweetest and kindest people I had ever met. I have many fond memories that I will cherish and hold close to my heart. Such a talent and a tremendous loss to pop and country music and to those who knew and loved her.”
Jefferson Airplane’s Jorma Kaukonen penned a lengthy blogpost paying tribute to Parton. If someone were to have asked me yesterday what the world would be like without Dolly Parton it would have been an unknown concept … to me Dolly Parton was one of those iconic figures who would just always be there whenever we needed her,” he wrote. “I thank her for the joy she brought me in my life and I wish her Godspeed on her journey beyond the stars.”
Another of Parton’s collaborators, Melissa Manchester, said in a statement that the icon “blessed the world with her beautiful songs and blessed humanity with her caring and generous heart … Thank you, dearest Dolly. Your glory will live on in your songs and great accomplishments.”
Longtime friend Bill Anderson stated of Parton: “The last thing Dolly said to me was, ‘Bill Anderson – I Will Always Love You.’ She was looking me in the eye from the giant video screen in the Grand Ole Opry House on the Occasion of my 65th Opry anniversary a few weeks ago. She was Smiling as only Dolly could, making my night even more special than it already was. The news of her passing has rocked my world, but as we sang together back in 2023, ‘Someday It’ll All Make Sense.’”
In the video posted to Parton’s social media accounts announcing her passing, Seaver told the 10-time Grammy winner’s fanbase, “Sadness lies with us, not with Dolly.”
“Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless others who have watched her and longed for her to meet them in the heavens,” he continued in the clip. “By her example, we believed that anything was possible. She never saw a door she couldn’t open, and the doors that she opened made and changed history.
Beyond her numerous Billboard chart hits — including Billboard Hot 100 No. 1s “9 to 5” and “Islands In The Stream” with Kenny Rogers — Parton will be remembered for her generosity, particularly in regards to her Imagination Library, where her family is seeking donations in lieu of flowers following her passing.
