Country Music Hall of Famer Dolly Parton passed
away today (8/25) in Nashville at the age of 80. Born Dolly Rebecca
Parton on Jan. 19, 1946, she went on to become a prolific singer, songwriter,
actress, philanthropist and businesswoman with a career spanning nearly 60
years.
After achieving success as a songwriter for others, Parton released her debut album, Hello, I’m Dolly, in 1967 leading to success throughout the remainder of the 1960s, both as a solo artist and with a series of duet albums with Porter Wagoner. Parton has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, including 44 career Top 10 country albums and 110 charted singles. She has composed more than 3,000 songs, and her catalog of hits includes “I Will Always Love You,” “Jolene,” “Coat Of Many Colors,” “Here You Come Again” and “Why’d You Come In Here Lookin’ Like That.” In addition to her work with Wagoner, Parton charted hit duets with Willie Nelson (“Everything’s Beautiful [In Its Own Way]”), Smokey Robinson (“I Know You By Heart”), Ricky Van Shelton (“Rockin’ Years”) and Kenny Rogers (“The Greatest Gift Of All,” “Real Love,” “Christmas Without You,” “I Believe In Santa Claus” and “Islands In The Stream”).
She also collaborated with Emmylou Harris and
Linda Ronstadt on the Trio album; with Loretta Lynn and Tammy
Wynette on the Honky Tonk Angels project; and released “Romeo”
with Billy Ray Cyrus, Tanya Tucker, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Kathy Mattea and Pam
Tillis. Many of her songs saw crossover success on the pop charts, as
well.
As an actress, Parton can be seen in 9 To 5, The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk. Parton also co-owned Sandollar Productions, which produced her Academy Award winning documentary Common Threads: Stories From The Quilt (1989) as well as the television series “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003) and feature films Father Of The Bride and Father Of The Bride: Part II, among others.
She owns The Dollywood Company, which manages a number of entertainment venues, including the Dollywood theme park and Splash Country water park. Parton also found a number of charitable organizations, chief of which is the Dollywood Foundation, which manages a number of projects to bring educations and poverty relief to her native East Tennessee, and the Imagination Library, which provides free books for children from birth to age five.
Parton has earned 50 Grammy nominations and won 11
Grammys, including the Lifetime Achievement Award; 10 CMA Awards,
including being one of only seven women to take home the organization’s Entertainer
of the Year trophy; five ACM Awards; four People’s Choice Awards;
three American Music Awards; and 48 BMI Awards.
Parton has been a member of the Grand
Ole Opry since 1969, and is a 1999 inductee into the Country Music
Hall of Fame.
**** USE the Playlist play control 2nd
left from top of the screen to see the playlisted tracks and select
one to play from the drop down menu *** 👇
Parton was recognized at the Kennedy Center Honors in 2006, and three of her
compositions – “I Will Always Love You,” “Jolene” and “Coat Of Many Colors” –
were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2007, 2014 and 2019,
respectively. Read Parton’s complete biography via the Country Music Hall of
Fame here. A small, private service is
being planned for immediate family. In lieu of flowers the family
asks for donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
TRIBUTES:
Dolly Parton, one of the most iconic and beloved artists in Country Music history, has passed away today, August 25, 2026. She was 80. We are heartbroken at the loss of a Country icon. Her impact around the world will be felt for generations to come.
"At the end of the day, few artists define Country Music better than the one-word, Dolly. Over her decades-long career, I worked with her on a number of programs. She was always the most professional in every setting, often walking off the bus in heels and hair and makeup ready to go, before expected and before the cast and crew. However, along with the music, our biggest loss today is her work as a philanthropist and the genuine difference she has made in people’s lives throughout the world. There will only ever be one Dolly.”
– Sarah Trahern, Country Music Association CEO
"At the end of the day, few artists define Country Music better than the one-word, Dolly. Over her decades-long career, I worked with her on a number of programs. She was always the most professional in every setting, often walking off the bus in heels and hair and makeup ready to go, before expected and before the cast and crew. However, along with the music, our biggest loss today is her work as a philanthropist and the genuine difference she has made in people’s lives throughout the world. There will only ever be one Dolly.”
– Sarah Trahern, Country Music Association CEO
“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." - Bill Anderson
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 McEntire
The Academy is deeply saddened by the passing of
Dolly Parton. She leaves behind a legacy that reaches far beyond the stage.
Through her unmistakable voice, unforgettable songs, generosity and
larger-than-life spirit, she touched generations and made the world a little
brighter. A member of the Country
Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry, Dolly was a 14-time ACM Award recipient and
three-time host of the ACM Awards. She gave us some of country music’s most enduring songs and moments, and at this year’s ACM Honors, she was honored with the ACM Poet’s Award — a beautiful recognition of the songwriter whose words became a part of so many lives. As we look back on these ACM moments, we’re reminded of the incredible mark Dolly left on country music and on all those who grew up with her songs. Her music will live on, carrying her voice and her story forward for generations to come. - ACM Awards
Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry, Dolly was a 14-time ACM Award recipient and
three-time host of the ACM Awards. She gave us some of country music’s most enduring songs and moments, and at this year’s ACM Honors, she was honored with the ACM Poet’s Award — a beautiful recognition of the songwriter whose words became a part of so many lives. As we look back on these ACM moments, we’re reminded of the incredible mark Dolly left on country music and on all those who grew up with her songs. Her music will live on, carrying her voice and her story forward for generations to come. - ACM Awards
Dolly Parton, the beloved global entertainment icon who sold more than 100 million records and whose songwriting prowess and sure-handed approach to her career reshaped the face of country music, popular music, and the entertainment industry at large, has died. - Rolling Stone
The Library is devastated to learn of the passing of Dolly Parton, a music legend and titan of children's literacy. Her Imagination Library program has earned multiple Library Literacy Awards and, in 2018, she visited us to donate its 100 millionth book to our collection and host a story time. 🦋❤️ Rest in peace, Dolly. 🦋 - Library of Congress
Can you imagine how beautiful the angel band sounds today?
- Lee Ann Womack
