Dolly Parton, the singer-songwriter, actress and philanthropist who became one of the most beloved figures in American music over a seven-decade career, died Tuesday in Nashville at age 80. She had been admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center on August 21 for kidney and autoimmune issues.
A trailblazing career
Parton released nearly 50 solo studio albums over her career, more than 20 of which reached the Top 10 of the Billboard country chart, including eight No. 1s. She wrote enduring standards including "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You," and starred in beloved films such as "9 to 5," "Steel Magnolias" and "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas." Beyond music and film, she built a lasting philanthropic legacy through the Dollywood Foundation and her Imagination Library program, which has distributed hundreds of millions of free books to children around the world.
Tributes pour in
A statement from her representatives read: "A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family." Fellow artists and public figures across the political spectrum shared tributes. "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," said actress and activist Jane Fonda, her longtime friend and co-star. Country singer Reba McEntire wrote, "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." Oprah Winfrey said Parton "dreamed a life and then lived a life bigger than she could have ever imagined, giving so generously to others in ways we saw and ways we didn't."
Parton's nephew, Bryan Seaver, said in a family statement, "Dolly opened doors not just for me, but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn't even know was possible." Dollywood, the Tennessee theme park she founded, closed briefly out of respect on the day of her death but reopened the following day, which park officials said was "as Dolly wanted."
