Dolly Parton, the country music star who for decades was known for her vocal talent, songwriting skills and ability to unite people, died on Tuesday in Nashville. She was 80.
Many of the artists Parton had influenced and worked with over her long career remembered her in social media posts for her kindness, generosity and creative genius. Parton’s universal appeal even reached the White House, where President Trump ordered flags flown at half-staff.
“This is a true loss for millions of people,” the president wrote online. “There has never been anyone like her, and never will.”
Lily Tomlin
Tomlin, who starred with Parton and Jane Fonda in the 1980 hit comedy “9 to 5,” called the country star a friend and “the great harmonizer of humanity.”
Reba McEntire
In 2021, McEntire released a reimagined version of her hit song “Does He Love You” with Parton. On Tuesday, McEntire thanked Parton. “Your love, your music and you gave so much with your huge huge heart,” she wrote online. “There will never ever be another you. We will remember and cherish every memory and every note you ever played and sang.”
Senator Marsha Blackburn
Blackburn, a Republican of Tennessee, said in a statement that Parton’s life and career were “forever woven into Tennessee’s music, culture, and history.” Blackburn added that the country star’s talent, generosity and love for the state would inspire future generations. “Tennessee will forever be grateful for Dolly,” she added.
Tim Cook
Cook, the chief executive of Apple, honored Parton for her philanthropy and commitment to children’s literacy. Parton’s music, he wrote, “helped light up the world.” He added that Parton 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.”
Paris Hilton
Hilton called Parton an icon and a personal inspiration. “Her talent, heart and kindness touched so many lives, and she truly left this world better than she found it,” she wrote.
Jamie Lee Curtis
In a tribute, Curtis said that Parton’s bravery to break away from what was expected of her led to the writing of “I Will Always Love You.” That power ballad was rerecorded by Whitney Houston for the soundtrack of “The Bodyguard” in 1992 and spent 14 weeks at the top of the pop chart. “She is a great example for us all,” Curtis wrote.
Colman Domingo
Domingo said that he was lucky enough to live in a time where Parton existed. “Dolly taught us that you can be anything and do anything and to do it with kindness,” he wrote. “What a light.”
Khloe Kardashian
As a longtime fan of Parton’s, Kardashian wrote in an Instagram Story that “some people are so extraordinary their existence feels almost impossible.”
“Dolly was one of those people,” she added, calling her a once-in-a-lifetime soul and a woman whose light, heart, talent and humanity changed the world forever. “To have admired her was a gift,” Kardashian added. “To have met her, spent time in her presence, and somehow been lucky enough that Dolly Parton knew my name.” Last summer, Parton opened up about her life on Kardashian’s podcast, “Khloé in Wonder Land.”
Jeff Bezos
Bezos, the owner of Amazon and The Washington Post, said Parton had “spent her whole life showing what it meant to lead with love.” He added that “she lifted everyone with her music, her generosity, and her joy.”
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