News Desk Reporter
For generations of fans, Dolly Parton was more than a country music star. She was a familiar voice, a warm presence and a woman known for using her success to help others.
Parton died peacefully in Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday at the age of 80 after a brief battle with cancer.
Her death marks the end of a remarkable career that spanned seven decades and made her one of the world’s most recognisable entertainers.
Born in Tennessee, Parton rose from humble beginnings to become a singer, songwriter, actress, author and businesswoman.
Her distinctive voice and songwriting produced some of country music’s most enduring hits, including Jolene, 9 to 5, Coat of Many Colours and I Will Always Love You.
The latter became a worldwide hit when Whitney Houston recorded it for the 1992 film The Bodyguard.
Parton also built a successful film career. She starred alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in 9 to 5, and appeared in Steel Magnolias and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
But her influence stretched well beyond entertainment.
In 1995, she launched the Imagination Library, a programme that provides free books to children. It grew into an international literacy initiative, distributing hundreds of millions of books.
Parton also donated $1 million towards COVID-19 vaccine research in 2020. The money went to researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Centre.
Her achievements earned her some of the biggest honours in music and entertainment. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
She also received the National Medal of Arts and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Tributes began pouring in after news of her death.
In New York, the Empire State Building was lit up in pink on Tuesday night in her honour. The tribute began at 9.25 pm, a reference to her famous 9 to 5 song and film.
Parton’s personal life was also marked by a long and enduring marriage. She was married to Carl Thomas Dean for 59 years before his death in March 2025.
Her family has requested a small, private service for immediate family members.
Fans around the world have been encouraged to celebrate her life through tributes and by supporting the causes she championed.
Parton’s legacy will live on through her music, films and books, but also through the millions of lives touched by her generosity.
For many, Dolly Parton was a reminder that fame could be used not only to entertain, but to make a difference.