Dolly Parton has died aged 80, her family announces
Country music legend Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80, her family has announced.
In a video posted to Parton’s X account 15 minutes ago, her nephew Bryan Seaver announced the death of his aunt, for whom he acted as head of security.
This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality.
As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father, Larry, held before me. I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now. It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness.
But 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.
I first went on the road with Dolly as a kid, getting a taste of the road life in the early 1980s. Dolly opened doors not just for me, but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn’t even know was possible. Dolly also opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians, and dreamers from every walk of life and across every continent. By her example, we believed that anything was possible. She never saw a door she couldn’t open, and the doors she opened made and changed history.
My family and I have shared a lifetime of beautiful memories with Dolly, but so have you. She has always been on your television, your record player, your CD, and on your phone playlist becoming an extended part of your family, whether you liked it or not. Our family and the team she has entrusted with her legacy will work diligently to ensure her spirit will live with us for ever.
Dolly was a farmer, just like her daddy. He farmed the soil; she farmed songs and happiness. Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.
Rest in peace, Aunt Dolly, Aunt Granny. Gigi. May God bless Dolly Parton and may God bless you all. She will always love you.
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Video: Dolly Parton’s family announce death and pay tribute
If you missed it earlier, you can watch the announcement of Dolly Parton’s death by her nephew here:
The Guardian’s Owen Myers and Benjamin Lee have rounded up some of the famous names who have paid tribute in the hours since Dolly Parton’s death was first shared publicly.
You can read their full piece here:
Dionne Warwick pays tribute: ‘My heart is heavy’
Music legend Dionne Warwick has joined public figures paying tribute to Dolly Parton. The pair collaborated on the duet Peace Like a River, which was released in 2023.
Writing on X, Warwick posted a photo of the two from the music video shoot for the song. She said:
I will certainly miss her laugher, jokes and her being. Rest well and in total peace my friend. My heart is heavy.
Actor Seth McFarlane wrote on X:
The news of Dolly Parton’s passing is devastating. 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. Her kindness, generosity, and authenticity were evident from moment one, and the benign yet assured command she maintained over her empire was obvious from the genuine love and trust you could see from everyone who worked for her. The world is a dimmer place today without her.
Kyle Young, the CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, said:
Dolly Parton’s legacy is not celebrity, but humanity. She came from poverty to become the most important native of Tennessee. She shared her fortunes for the good of all of us, and shared her soul in every note she sang.
Jeff Bezos, who donated $100m to the Dollywood Foundation in 2022, shared this tribute:
Dolly spent her whole life showing us what it means to lead with love. Lauren and I are so grateful to have known her. She lifted everyone with her music, her generosity, and her joy. Sending our sincere condolences to her family and everyone she touched.
Apple CEO Tim Cook wrote on X:
Dolly Parton’s music helped light up the world. She was a brilliant songwriter, cultural icon, and dedicated philanthropist who helped instill a love of reading and learning in millions of children around the world. May she rest in peace.
In a statement, Julia Roberts who starred alongside Parton in 1989’s Steel Magnolias, wrote: “Dolly was a magical and joyous human. I hold knowing her as a treasure in my life. The sun has dimmed today.”
Actor James Woods, who starred with Parton in the 1992 movie Straight Talk, wrote on X: “Heaven has found its voice. Rest in His arms, angel. #RipDollyParton”
Lily Tomlin, Parton’s co-star in the 1980 film 9 to 5, posted a black-and-white picture of the two of them decades earlier on Instagram, captioning it simply: “No words.”
Actor Henry Winkler wrote on X: “What a sad day for America what a sad day for the world what a sad day for the Parton family. Dolly! We will miss you in more ways than one can say you were a treasure on this earth.”
‘You gave so much with your huge heart’: Reba McEntire pays tribute to ‘my buddy Dolly’
Parton’s longtime friend and fellow country music icon Reba McEntire has shared this tribute on Instagram.
Well, I just got the news that my buddy Dolly passed onto the higher and greater side.
Dolly, thank you for all the wonderful things you did for us here on earth.
Your love, your music and you gave so much with your huge huge heart.
There will never ever be another you.
We will remember and cherish every memory and every note you ever played and sang.Thank you, Lord, for Dolly.
She’s gonna have a blast in heaven singing all her favorite songs with all her family and friends who have gone on before her.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.
I will always love you,
Reba.
Fellow country singer Kacey Musgraves shared three posts on X reacting to the news of Parton’s death.
In the first, she wrote: “Dolly. This really really hurts.”
In the second, Musgraves added: “The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden.”
And finally: “So glad she’s with her Carl Dean. No one talk to me today.”
Shrai Popat
A number of US lawmakers from both parties honored Parton in tribute posts. Marsha Blackburn, a Republican senator from Parton’s home state of Tennessee, said that the singer-songwriter’s death “leaves a void that no one can ever fill. Dolly, we will always love you.”
Meanwhile, Bernie Sanders, the independent senator from Vermont, noted that Parton “was not only a talented musician” but also “a lifelong philanthropist and advocate for literacy, education, LGBTQ+ rights, healthcare and disaster relief”.
He added: “Her music and humanity touched millions. She will be sorely missed.”
