At a glance…
- Global icon Dolly Parton passed away on 25 August 2026 at the age of 80.
- Tributes have flooded in for the international superstar and philanthropist from fans, friends, and family.
Tributes from friends, family and fans are flooding in to remember country music icon Dolly Parton, who sadly passed away at the age of 80.
The superstar was known for her unique voice, flamboyant personality and even bigger heart. Her family shared the announcement of her passing on social media, writing, “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.”
Mere hours after the news had spread, people honoured the icon by laying wreaths at the Dolly Parton Statue in Sevierville, in Tennessee, her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and her Wall of Fame Park plaque in Nashville. But many more have shared heartfelt tributes on social media.
The tribute many people were waiting for was from Miley Cyrus, Dolly’s Goddaughter.
Dolly’s relationship with the Cyrus family began in 1992, when she toured with Billy. Then, when Miley’s singing career bloomed, the Jolene singer performed with his daughter.
“The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share. Our most sacred moments were private and they’ll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts,” Miley began on Instagram. “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. One of our last conversations was about music and metamorphosis. 🦋
“I will always love her and want to make her proud. My heart breaks for the world, her family and friends who will miss her deeply. We’re in this loss together and we will see her in all of the most beautiful things. 💖” she concluded.
Actress Jane Fonda shared a flashback image of the pair, laughing over cocktails. In her tribute, the Barbarella star admitted she’d never met anyone like Dolly, “simultaneously naughty, playful” and a “soulful thinker who could see through people right down to their true selves.”
“I am devastated. I just learned that Dolly has moved on. I know that millions are mourning and I want to say this – more than anyone I have ever known, Dolly will always be with us because she was so present, so powerful, so generous and playful that she is woven into all our lives and hearts forever,” she wrote on Instagram, adding that her songs and Dollywood will forever remain in our hearts.
“She was many things…lyricist, songstress, player of many instruments, writer, prankster, visionary, loyal friend, who’d never go to bed before she and her friends had laughed so hard they’d have to cross their legs.
“She had a survivor’s instinct and seemed to always know just what to do, just what to say, to make things right…and then she’s stick her butt out the car window and moon Kenny Roger’s home. She was the voluptuous embodiment of empathy. That’s something of hers she’d want us all to take with us.
“To her gay and trans fans, I want you to know that she loved you. You know that without me telling you. She loved all her fans and they are legion. And you know she doesn’t want y’all to mourn now. Dress up and celebrate her spirit. But first, watch the final episode of Grace and Frankie where she’s an Angel, the head honcho working class angel in Heaven. RIP, beautiful woman. We love you. ❤️” Jane concluded.
The family of late American singer-songwriter Kenny Roger shared a tribute to his longtime friend, commemorating Dolly’s “spirit of compassion, positivity, friendliness, and immense generosity.”
“It’s painstakingly hard to put into words what you meant to Kenny…and to all of us,” they began. “When the two of you sang about being islands in the stream who together had found peace unknown, having real love for each other as true friends who would always stand by each other, and how you just can’t make old friends, it was always as genuine as it could possibly be…coming straight from the heart and reflecting what you both felt for each other.
“Saying a simple, yet sincere thank you could never be enough for bringing so much joy, laughter, and amazing songs and stories into our lives.
“We must accept that you’ve simply traded your butterfly wings in for angel wings.”
Sharing an image from their first time meeting, the Death Becomes Her star Goldie Hawn confessed the 9 to 5 singer was “a ray of light! Even then, she was lit up like an angel, a joyful, celestial being. Dolly blessed us all for generations to come. Rest, dear Angel, and, as you said, keep the angels creating music and singing in the heavens. 🕊️❤️”
Meanwhile, actress Reese Witherspoon shared a tearful video of her interaction with the musician. The pair met before 2005 when Dolly helped Reese, the then young actress in her 20s, prepare for her role in Walk the Line. Whether it was talent or Dolly’s help, Reese won an Oscar.
“I count my lucky stars that I called Dolly my friend. When I was playing June Carter Cash in Walk the Line, she took me to dinner and told me stories of how June Carter charmed everyone in country music. Dolly gave me the courage to put my whole spirit into that performance and made me see how lucky I was to be a storyteller,” Reese wrote.
“Throughout my entire career, she sent me little notes of encouragement and support, telling me to be the light in people’s lives and listen to my angels. Always signed: ‘I will always love you.’ 🦋
“Dolly, I miss you already. Your talent, your wisdom and your beautiful spirit lit up our lives. Go soar with your angels…. We will always love you. ❤️”
Oprah Winfrey shared on her “fondest memories” with Dolly: “Having a hoot and a holler while wearing Bob Mackie gowns on her show Dolly.
“This girl from the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee dreamed a life and then lived a life bigger than she could have ever imagined, giving so generously to others in ways we saw and ways we didn’t. No one like her. She brought the light, and we are all better because she was here. God bless you, Dolly—you earned your wings🪽,” she concluded.
The Beatles’ Paul McCartney reflected on her legacy as a trailblazer, noting his gratitude when she elected to record The Beatles’ classic Let It Be on her 2024 album, Rockstar.
“I first met her in Nashville at the Grand Ole Opry where she had been playing with the country star Porter Wagoner and was about to start her solo career. She was so bubbly and full of life it is difficult to take in the news that she has passed,” he wrote.
“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. She was a very clever business woman who understood the value of her music and, most importantly, the effect that she had on the people of the world.”
Eccentric artist, Cindi Lauper, who has made musical history in her own right, admitted she used to ask herself, ‘What would Dolly do?’
“It’s hard for me to imagine the world without Dolly. Dolly’s heart was as big as her talent. She was not only a great singer/song writer/actress/TV star, Dolly also lived her art. She used her art, her fame and her money to help so many people,” she captioned the black and white image.
“She was a great role model for all of us. I hope she is in a place with Carl, her Mom and Dad and all her loved ones who’ve passed. She will be so missed. Rest in Peace Dolly.”
British singer-songwriter Rod Stewart confessed he was “absolutely floored” by the loss of Dolly, particularly after grieving the loss of their mutual friend, Bonnie Tyler.
Music group The Jacksons shared a tribute on their Instagram page, calling Dolly a “true trailblazer.”
“Through her extraordinary talent, kindness and generosity, she opened doors and inspired generations around the world,” the post read. “We share this special memory from 1977, when we had the honor of meeting Dolly in England on the same day we also met Queen Elizabeth II.
“Thank you, Dolly, for the music, the joy and the light you shared with us all. May you rest peacefully in the loving arms of the Lord, reunited with your husband Carl and the many loved ones who made their journey to Heaven before you.”
Longtime friend Billy Ray Cyrus shared a beautiful tribute to the Godmother of his daughter, Miley Cyrus. The country music star also addressed the 1992 rumours that he and Dolly were having an affair. Of course, Dolly was happily married to the love of her like, Carl, who sadly passed away in March 2025.
“I have so many moments and memories with Dolly, it’s hard to know where to start. Like every little boy, I grew up loving Dolly Parton. She was a part of our lives, on our TV’s, right in our living rooms,” he began.
“In 1992, I’ll never forget walking into her dressing room to apologize for all the tabloid stories which claimed I was having an affair with her. In true Dolly fashion, she just looked at me, winked and said, “Honey, this trash sells records!” Dolly recently sent me a beautiful message, telling me she loved me with her whole heart. I will always love her in the same way ….. with my whole heart … and I always will,” he concluded.
Adding her name to the list, actress Kate Hudson was “shattered” upon hearing the news.
“What an extraordinary life she lived, and what a gift she gave to all of us. To me, she represented the very best of what it means to be an artist. She understood that art is not only about expressing yourself. It is about reaching outward, bringing people together and making them feel less alone. Her joy was generous. It was not naive. It was born out of resilience, courage and an open heart. She took everything life gave her and turned it into music, laughter, kindness and love❤️” she wrote.
“She gave love freely and spent her life spreading it. There was such strength in her spirit and such tenderness in the way she connected with people. She made everyone feel invited in. As an artist, she reminded me why we do this in the first place. Not simply to create, but to connect. To give something of ourselves. To fill people’s hearts and, if we are lucky, leave the world with a little more joy and love than we found it. What a life. What a spirit. What a legacy. Thank you, Dolly, for showing us just how powerful joy can be 🕊️” she concluded.
Australia’s musical sweetheart, Delta Goodrem shared: “Dolly was truly one of a kind – a remarkable songwriter, performer and trailblazer who brought immeasurable joy, warmth and sparkle to the world. A true leader and an undeniable force, she paved the way for generations. What an inspiration and what an unforgettable legacy.”
In 2023, former Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks worked with Dolly in Nashville, recording a song for her 2023 album Rock Star. While tributing the departed star, Stevie called it the “best week ever.”
“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. 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 wrote. “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.”
Dolly’s influence stretched as far as the British royal family, with Queen Camilla sharing a heartfelt message on The Queen’s Reading Room Instagram account.
“Today, we remmember and celebrate the unwavering advocate for the joy and importance of reading – the icon, Dolly Parton,” the message began. “Dolly once said, ‘You can never get enough books into the hands of enough children’… but she gave it a pretty good go, donating more than 300 million books over 30+ years through her Imagination Library.
“By putting so many books into the hands of so many children, she gave the most precious of gifts: the chance to millions of young minds of opening the door to imagination, posssibility and a lifelong love of reading. Thank you, Dolly!”
Share this post