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Dolly Parton was an American treasure. No, more than that. She was a global treasure.
The love she poured into this world was pure, of golden heart, and vast. And now she’s gone.
The world is mourning.
News broke on Tuesday of the Jolene singer’s passing at age 80 via family video statement. Fans knew she had been dealing with health issues, but we all just hoped she would live forever.
Global icon and humanitarian, Dolly Parton, known to the world as a beloved singer, songwriter, philanthropist, actress, playwright, and author died peacefully today in Nashville, Tennessee. She was 80 years old.
Dolly is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years… pic.twitter.com/sBdu2Ssof9
— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) August 25, 2026
She wasn’t just a great artist. She was a great person. Always championing for good causes — and always putting her money behind her words, too.
It didn’t take long for fellow celebrities across all industries (music, film, the influencer-sphere, and more) to share their thoughts with social media. See some of their tributes, via X (Twitter) below:
“The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden. So glad she’s with her Carl Dean. No one talk to me today.” – Kacey Musgraves
“Heartbroken to hear about Queen @DollyParton’s passing. She was a true icon and such an inspiration to me. Her talent, heart and kindness touched so many lives, and she truly left this world better than she found it. Sending all my love to her family, friends and everyone who loved her. Rest in peace, Dolly” – Paris Hilton
“I cannot believe the world has lost @DollyParton OMG. I loved Dolly. Everyone loved Dolly!: – Boy George
“One of the joys of my job was to work with Dolly on Forever Country. In a video stacked with icons, she stood above all. I started directing her and she gave me a look – easy, I got this. And she did. RIP to a true legend.” – Joseph Kahn
“Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library gifted more than 332,000,000 books since it was first created 31 years ago.” – Kyle Griffin
“What a sad day for America what a sad day for the world what a sad day for the pardon family. Dolly! We will miss you in more ways than one can say you were a treasure on this earth.” – Henry Winkler
“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.” – Jennifer Tilly
“One of my greatest honors was interviewing this beautiful woman. Tell Carl hello. Rest now, Ms. Parton. Your work here is done.” – Loni Love
“dolly made earth better” – Tyler Oakley
“Devastating” – Kevin McHale
“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” – Reba McEntire
“Dolly Parton was an absolute American icon and legend. Singular in her impact, love, talent, music, kindness, passion and strength. There never was nor ever will be another like her. There are almost no words to express what a loss this is for America, she was one of the few people who had the ability to unite and truly bring everyone together through her music art, light and spirit. On a personal note she is hands down the kindest, warmest, friendliest celebrity I had the pleasure of ever meeting. When people ask me the highlight of working at The View, I always say meeting Dolly Parton. Her famous quote ~ “The way I see it if you want the rainbow, you’ve got to put up with the rain” has helped me through many tough moments and grief in life. I am deeply saddened by this news just being a huge fan. We love you forever Dolly.” – Meghan McCain
“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.” – Seth MacFarlane
“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.” – Kristin Chenoweth
“A light has gone out in the world. A light we need now more than ever. How can this even be??? Not Dolly!!! Not beautiful brilliant Dolly!!!!! I found this picture of Dolly and my Mom Flora when I was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2021. She was excited for me but I think a lot more excited to meet Dolly! Im so honored that I got to work with her, and will always cherish that. What a sad sad day not just for the world of music, but for the world. We will always love You.” – Diane Warren
“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.” – Blake Shelton
“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. 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.” – Billy Ray Cyrus
“oh dolly [heartbreak emoji] the only thing i could say after we first met was ‘she really is an angel walking the earth’ and ‘we look like we could be sisters!’ i will cherish our laughter and conversations and i will keep your wisdom, your playful outlook on life, and perfect sense of humor in my pocket for the rainy days. there will never be another you and how lucky are we all to have experienced your singular magic as well as your once in a lifetime voice, songs, and heart. your light will be something the world will search forever to find again [butterfly emojis] i will always love you” – Sabrina Carpenter
“There will not be another like the Queen of Country, Dolly Parton. Her music spoke to millions across generations, including in our family. And America is a better place because the inspiring and unifying example she set with her spirit of generosity and belonging will endure far into the future, just like her timeless music.” – Pete Buttigieg
“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.” – Kelly Clarkson
“Dolly Parton was one of a kind. I had the pleasure of crossing paths with Dolly over the years, and she was every bit as memorable, talented and funny as you would imagine. But beyond the extraordinary talent was something even more important: her heart. She brought joy to generations of people and left the world considerably better than she found it. She will be missed.” – William Shatner
“Dolly was a magical and joyous human. I hold knowing her as a treasure in my life. The sun has dimmed today.” – Julia Roberts
“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.” – Reese Witherspoon
“I am completely devastated by the loss of my precious friend, Dolly. She encouraged me and loved me every day I needed it. That is what I remember most….I wish more people in this world would live like Dolly did. To just be kind and loving and steadfast . I will miss her for the rest of my life.” – Kathie Lee Gifford
“There aren’t words to describe what you mean to the world, Dolly. What I do know is that you have always been a light, and now you are shining brighter than we can imagine. Our job now is to keep that light alive. WWDD? Love one another. You walked the walk. To say your energy in this life will be missed is an understatement. We will always love you.” – Trisha Yearwood
“What a wonderful songwriter and singer Dolly was. She brought so many people together, we will all miss her so much.” – Mick Jagger
“If Dolly taught me anything, it’s to never have these folks catch you lacking. She always looked her best, she controlled her image, and how she showed up in the world. Even until the very end, she let us know on her terms compared to any other outlet.” – Queen Latifah
“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.” – Melissa Etheridge
“Dolly Parton memory: her being incredibly nice and cool to EVERYONE when i was on SNL in 1988 as a featured player/apprentice writer and wrote a sketch for her and me that bombed at readthrough and she totally sold it as it bombed and was so kind about it and I never met her again but always wanted to thank her for being so cool and making me and everyone feel special. What an icon, and for so long. A person who emanated goodness, and of course, a brilliant songwriter and performer. Sending love to her family and friends.” – Ben Stiller
“It’s hard to imagine many people having a bigger impact than Dolly Parton. Born in a one-room cabin, she earned 11 Grammys and an Emmy, built a business empire, helped millions of kids learn to read, and — as if that wasn’t enough — helped accelerate the research that led to the Moderna COVID vaccine. What a life. Michelle and I are thinking of Dolly’s family and her many, many fans.” – Barack Obama
“She was an icon and showed us all what was possible, not only as a human but as an entertainer. She was the blueprint, head and shoulders above anyone that came before her and all those of us that have come after. Everything she did, she did it with kindness, grace and that famous wit and smile. It’s been hard to not be in tears all day. There will never be another Dolly Parton.” – Tim McGraw
“Shocked and devastated to hear of Dolly’s passing. A giant of an artist – unique and irreplaceable, with the kindest heart.” – Elton John
“Dolly, thank you for standing up for yourself as an artist, a songwriter, a musician, a producer, an author, a creative, and most
importantly a woman in this industry. You paved the way for so many to be brave. Thank you for being unaffraid to show your most authentic self. The world needed Dolly and will never see another like it. The gates of heaven just welcomed home a beautiful soul.” – Ella Langley“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.” – George Strait
“I was lucky enough to know and work with the one and only Dolly Parton. She was a phenomenal guest on the show; always funny and always made everyone she met feel like a million dollars. We did duets together, laughed together and danced through Dollywood in the Smoky Mountains of Pigeon Forge. And even though we did all that, I would still get butterflies just being in her presence. And that’s kind of what I think of when I think of Dolly. She’s a butterfly. Beautiful. Magical. Dreamy. And like most butterflies, they stay for a moment – captivate you, fascinate you, mesmerize you and then fly away far too soon. I love you Dolly. I will always miss you.” – Jimmy Fallon
“She was every bit as kind, warm and wonderful as I imagined, and being in her presence was so inspiring. I feel so grateful that I had the chance to meet such a legendary woman and experience that beautiful spirit firsthand. Rest in peace, Dolly. Your light and legacy will live on forever.” – Paris Hilton (extended)
“The magnificent star Dolly Parton has died and it is so sad. She was such a wonderful woman. 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. 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. There was no greater honour for me than to have her sing my song Let It Be and, even though I only made a small contribution to it, I am so honoured that she did it. I am so proud to have known her and admire her unique talents. Thanks Dolly for the beautiful music you gave me and the whole world. We will always love you, god bless and rest in peace. You were the best.” – Paul McCartney
“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. 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 Fonda
Beloved would be an understatement.
We will continue updating this post as more reactions come in, so be sure to keep checking back.
Give your loved ones an extra hug today, and remember what Dolly’s nephew said: She will always love you.
[Image via MEGA/WENN]