World mourns country music icon Dolly Parton, dead at 80
Country music legend Dolly Parton has died at age 80 following a brief battle with cancer, her team confirmed. US flags were lowered to half-staff as tributes poured in from stars and fans worldwide.
Dolly Parton's team has confirmed the country music legend died on 25 August at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, surrounded by loved ones, after bravely facing a brief battle with cancer. In her final interview, published by People magazine just days before her death, the 80-year-old singer said she had been dealing with health issues she hadn't paid attention to while caring for her husband, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025 aged 82.
US President Donald Trump announced that American flags would be flown at half-staff for a week, calling her death "a true loss for millions of people." Flags were lowered around the Washington Monument, and fans gathered with flowers, candles and notes at Parton's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, her bronze statue in Sevierville, Tennessee, and her home in Brentwood.
Tributes from across the music world
Taylor Swift called Parton "dazzling" and said she was "the gift that kept on giving," while Celine Dion described her as "pure light, with a kind heart and a generous spirit." Tributes also came from Reba McEntire, Dionne Warwick, Tom Jones and boxing promoter Don King, who called her a "dear friend." Particularly emotional remembrances emerged from the LGBTQ community in the US, where Parton was long seen as an ally before it was popular to be one — gatherings took place at gay bars in Washington and in San Francisco's Castro district.
Dollywood to stay open
Dollywood, the Tennessee theme park Parton co-owned, announced it would remain open on 26 August, honouring her wish that "the show must go on." Park officials expressed heartbreak but said Parton wanted the site to remain a place of joy and togetherness. A Broadway musical based on her life is reportedly still on track to open early next year, while her family is planning a small, private funeral for immediate relatives.
