Stars are paying tribute to Dolly Parton, who died Tuesday in Nashville, Tennessee, at 80.Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, who was also her head of security, revealed the news in an Instagram video. The video was shared on the late singer’s page. “My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he said in the video.“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.”Seaver added, “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 to meet her in the heavens.”No cause of death was provided.
Dolly Parton’s healh issues make headlines
Parton’s health issues had become headlines in the fall of 2025, when she announced that she would not be able to follow through on a six-show December residency at Las Vegas’ Caesars Palace that had been announced as a long-awaited return to the concert stage.She was born in Tennessee and rose from humble beginnings to become a country music icon. With a distinguished career that lasted decades, Parton is the best-selling female country music artist of all time, having sold more than 160 million albums worldwide. Her debut album was 1967’s Hello, I’m Dolly, and she went on to release a slew of hits, including “I Will Always Love You,” “9 to 5” and “Jolene.”Her ensuing partnership with Porter Wagoner helped launch her career, and she later became a successful actor and businesswoman.Parton was also a philanthropist, founding her Imagination Library to promote children’s literacy. Her charm and humor made her a beloved figure across generations and political divides. She was among the most beloved personalities in music and beyond – the rare celebrity whose appeal transcended generations, geography and politics.
Donald Trump orders US flag to be lowered
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) mourned the death of country music legend Dolly Parton, who passed away at the age of 80, and announced that the American flag would be lowered throughout the United States for one week in her honour.In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, “It is with great sadness to report that Dolly Parton, one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER, has just passed away. This is a true loss for millions of people. There has never been anyone like her, and never will.”“In her honor, I am lowering the American flag throughout the United States for a one week period beginning tonight at 6:00PM. Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you,” he added.
Hollywood stars, singers, politicians and celebrities mourn Dolly Parton
Miley Cyrus, singer and honorary goddaughter wrote in a statement, “I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend, Dolly Parton. One of the most extraordinary musical experiences of my life was recording with her. The world is a poorer place without her.”Miley’s dad, Billy Ray Cyrus also took to his handle to share a fond memory, “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.”Singer Dionne Warwick said in a statement, “The Heavenly Father has made the decision to bring another of his children to him. Dolly a true child of God is in the best hands now. I will certainly miss her laugher, jokes and her being. Rest well and in total peace my friend.”Actress Reese Witherspoon penned a touching tribute in a post that read, “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. 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.”Actress Jane Fonda penned touching tribute to her late friend in a post that read, “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. We have our memories of her, her songs, Dollywood, “9to5,” the millions of books she got into the hands of children, all the iconic images that bring her to us. And they are all blessings. Let’s be grateful for all that she has left us to ease our sadness now. I never knew anyone like her. She was simultaneously a naughty, playful southern gal from the hollows of Tennessee and a deep, soulful thinker who could see through people right down to their true selves. 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.”Author JK Rowling penned a tweet that read, “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was the best contribution to child literacy ever made by a celebrity. Our paths crossed once, in the 90s, backstage at a talk show, and I was completely tongue-tied and starstruck. RIP Dolly. You were a complete, irreplaceable one-off.”Billionaire Jeff Bezos wrote, “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.”Linda Ronstadt, singer-songwriter wrote on her handle, “I can’t believe we just lost the purest soul. Rest in Glory, Dolly. My heart aches.”Kelly Clarkson, singer wrote in a post on X, “Dolly Parton had a way of making everyone feel special, and seen, and welcomed, and as if you were old friends. 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.”Melissa Etheridge, singer-songwriter penned a tweet that read, “Words fail me today, words to describe the spirit that was Dolly. I was blessed with knowing her, just a little. We all were. I will strive the rest of my days to be as joyful and loving as she was. Her talent and gifts she gave us will live on for generations. We are a better world because she walked among us. May she live in the stars of the night and in the light of our days.“Kristin Chenoweth, actor and singer wrote in a tweet, “Like the rest of the world, I’m immediately heartbroken. I met Dolly on several occasions and she always made me feel like one of her own. She even agreed to sing with me on one of my records. My ultimate inspiration. The world has lost one of the best but I know we will never forget her because she is impossible to forget. I love you Dolly and I will ALWAYS love you.”Singer George Strait, wrote, “You’ve had such a huge impact on so many people all over the world, @DollyParton. We will all miss you. May God bless the Parton family.”Singer Kacey Musgraves tweeted, “The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden.”Actress Jamie Lee Curtis, penned emotional tribute saying, “They say don’t meet your heroes. Her bravery to know that she was more than they thought she was and that she needed to break away and move on into new work and new possibilities led her to write I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU, as her way of thanking and loving, but moving on. She is a great example for us all.”Blake Shelton, singer and judge on ‘The Voice’, wrote in a tweet, “I can say with absolute certainty that we are all feeling the same heart brokenness today. I only got to spend any real time with Dolly when Gwen and I got to work with her on ‘The Voice.’ I want everyone to know that she was the EXACT person that you think she is. It was like being with the funnest, most loving, most caring and closest member of your family. Truly a loss for the entire world. We love you Dolly.”Seth MacFarlane, director and actor, wrote, “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.”Actress Patricia Heaton, tweeted, “Thank you Lord for giving Dolly to us. What a gift. What a loss.”Jennifer Tilly, wrote on her handle, “Rip Legend. We saw her in concert at the Hollywood Bowl a few years ago. She was so delightful and funny, and had a voice that could break hearts! Somehow you wanted to believe that Dolly would always be forever young, and never leave us.”Reba McEntire, also shared a post that read, “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.”Actor Colman Domingo, shared a photo of Dolly and wrote, “Dolly taught us that you can be anything and do anything and to do it with kindness. What a light. We are all grateful that we lived in a time of Dolly Parton. We will always love her.”Ken Burns, filmmaker behind “Country Music” also took to his handle to write, “One of twelve children raised in a cabin, Dolly Parton left home carrying nothing but songs to become the most beloved figure in American music. She wrote ‘I Will Always Love You’ as a goodbye to Porter Wagoner. Today it belongs to all of us.”Mick Jagger, also paid touching tribute to the singer-songwriter in a tweet that read, “What a wonderful songwriter and singer Dolly was. She brought so many people together, we will all miss her so much.”Singer-songwriter Melissa Manchester, shared in a statement, “The great and singular true queen, Dolly Parton, has died. She blessed the world with her beautiful songs and blessed humanity with her caring and generous heart… Your glory will live on in your songs and great accomplishments.”A rare kind of celebrity, Parton had an appeal that transcended generationsParton wrote hundreds of songs, including classics like “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You.” All told, her songs totaled more than 100 million worldwide sales and more than 1 billion online streams.The music icon was also inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999. During the memorable ceremony, she performed her hit song “Coat of Many Colors.” Parton’s close friend and “Islands in the Stream” duet partner Kenny Rogers presided over her induction.Her final Grammy came in 2021 in a contemporary Christian music category for “There Was Jesus,” a song she recorded with Zach Williams. She was nominated again this past year in the audiobook category for her reading of the book “Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones.”
