Dolly Parton Dies at 80; Tributes Pour In from Across the Music World
Country music legend Dolly Parton has died at age 80, her team announced on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. In a statement, her team said she passed after a brief battle with cancer, and that she brought laughter, hope and integrity to everything she touched. Parton had spoken publicly about her health in recent months, saying in an update last week that she had set aside her own health issues while caring for her husband of 58 years, Carl Dean, who died last year.
Tributes from across music and film
- Paul McCartney shared a photo of the two of them, calling her songwriting, voice and charity work unmatched in country music, and praising her as a shrewd businesswoman who understood the value of her own music.
- Taylor Swift called Parton "a gift that kept giving" — someone to look up to who also encouraged others to be themselves, with a soft heart for others' suffering and a steel spine when defending the worth of her own art.
- Elton John said he was shocked and heartbroken, calling her a unique, irreplaceable giant with the kindest heart.
- Mick Jagger said she brought so many people together.
- Garbage called her a gift to humanity.
- Brandi Carlile recalled Parton's 2014 Glastonbury performance.
- Dionne Warwick wrote she would miss her laugh, her jokes and her presence, saying her heart was heavy.
- Cyndi Lauper said she couldn't imagine a world without Dolly.
- Reba McEntire said she'd never forget meeting her for the first time — or their final conversation.
- Joan Jett called her a one-of-a-kind, selfless, down-to-earth musical genius.
- Sabrina Carpenter, who collaborated with Parton on a reworked version of "Please Please Please" earlier this year, said she would treasure their laughter and conversations.
- Jane Fonda, her co-star in the 1980 comedy 9 To 5, said she was devastated, calling Parton's presence, strength and playfulness woven into everyone's lives.
Others who posted tributes include Oprah, Barbra Streisand, Jack White, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Kelly Clarkson, Debbie Harry, Shania Twain, Barack Obama and Beyoncé.
Swift and the Imagination Library
Swift and Parton first met in 2010. Earlier this year, Swift and her husband Travis Kelce donated millions of dollars to Imagination Library, the children's literacy program founded by Parton, according to a Consequence report.