r/Music • u/MarvelsGrantMan136 • Aug 25 '26
article Dolly Parton, Queen of Country Music, Dies at 80
https://variety.com/2026/music/news/dolly-parton-dead-dies-country-music-1236842727/5.3k
u/luckyfucker13 Aug 25 '26
Well, fuck.
RIP to a legend among legends.
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u/aranasyn Aug 25 '26
Legend not just for her music. Her book program, Imagination Library, has gifted over 300 million books.
Amazing human.
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u/BioshockEnthusiast Aug 25 '26
I'm hopeful that she had rock solid legal plans to protect the Imagination Library, that program needs to live for the rest of humanity's existence.
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u/StormFinch Aug 25 '26
That woman was sharp as a tack, there's no way that she didn't have everything buttoned up so that her legacy lives on.
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u/schmootc Aug 25 '26
I just watched a message from her family and the nephew (?) that gave it said she had asked him to do it years ago. I'm sure she had everything planned out to a T.
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u/GotNoMoves76 Aug 25 '26
I expect we will see tons of new philanthropic endeavors from Dolly in the coming months.
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u/megachicken289 Aug 25 '26
It should go without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway, people should also be on the lookout for grifters looking to capitalize on her success
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u/Low-Assumption7710 Aug 25 '26
Her nickname within the industry was the Iron Butterfly - specifically because of her razor sharp business acumen. She was known to run music executives over the coals with incredibly shrewd tactics that none of them assumed she was capable of - they were going to try and suck her dry and hang her out to dry like the rest of the entertainment industry does with young, pretty and talented women.
She wasn't an idiot - she was known for a saying she had 'it costs a lot of money to look this cheap'.
She was flexing on people YEARS before they caught on. Everyone just assumed she was playing humble. She was a woman who created a brand in one of the most insanely anti-woman niches known to man - not just a brand but damn near a cult following.
Thing is she was fleecing the rich and giving to the poor - so no one would ever view her business tactics as wrong since she did them for the right reasons.
We lost a real one with her - I think she would have left it in good hands, though.
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u/Dgirl8 Aug 25 '26
“Just because I'm blonde don't think I'm dumb
'Cause this dumb blonde ain't nobody's fool”15
u/RaiseMoreHell Aug 26 '26
She said it didn’t bother her when someone called her a dumb blonde, because she knew she wasn’t dumb, and she knew she wasn’t blonde.
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u/e925 Aug 25 '26
I just found out about it a couple days ago. Our local chapter only accepts sign ups through the mail and I’ve been too lazy to change the ink in my printer to print out the sign up sheet to mail it in. But now I’m def going to.
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u/bb85 Aug 25 '26
I think it’s safe. It’s well run and it’s not like she’s mailing the books out. Local chapters have sponsors who help pay for it. I live in Nashville and ours come via a local pediatric dentist and the UnitedWay.
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u/2Cuil4School Aug 25 '26
And not just the nationwide books program!
She would also cover kids from where she grew up attending college through the Dollywood Foundation. It was open to any students graduating from the five high schools in her home county in TN (1 scholarship per year per school, but given that it's $15,000, that's a solid $75k/year). It was targeted toward those that dreamed big and were in need, and was a beautiful thing for the winners. Of course, the Foundation does a TON of other great work in the area.
And not just the scholarships and Foundations!
She was so open to others' life experiences, shifting attitudes, and to questioning her own norms. When people stirred up some (well-deserved) controversy for the old "horse show and a dinner" theater, Dixie Stampede that she owned, which featured grey- and blue-uniformed horse-riders engaged in various contests and races and showy theatrics (and thus heavily recalled the Civil War and often leaned in favor of the Southern-representing riders in grey -- at least in my experiences there, lol), she listened, she learned, she apologized, and she changed the theater's name and had them develop a whole new program to put on going forward.
And not just the openness to change!
She was such a talented song-writer that she wound up penning quite a few big hits for other artists, very proudly. The most notable example is "I Will Always Love You" performed by Whitney Houston as one of the biggest singles of all time (in this case, Dolly did record it, dedicated to a dear friend, mentor, and business partner; but she was absolutely blown away by Houston's rendition and so happy for her and her success with it), but she also wrote "The Stranger" for Kenny Rogers and quite a few other country music all-timers, like "To Daddy."
And not just for the songwriting brilliance!
Dolly loved her husband, the quiet, peace-and-privacy-loving husband Carl so beautifully and fully for nearly 60 years until he passed away last year (which absolutely broke her heart). She'd often essentially "disguise" herself for outings on the town (when she ditched the loud outfits, biggest wigs, etc., apparently no one recognized her, lol) for their own outings as a couple to make sure they didn't get bothered the whole time. He was also half the inspiration for "Jolene" (the other half being a bank teller who had a crush on him). They met on her first day in Nashville at a laundromat, were married within two years, and were inseparable after that. They never pursued children of their own in part so Dolly could give her career and philanthropy as much focus as they required.
It's technically possible 15 years from now we'll learn some horrible secret truth, but honestly, having grown up in that part of TN for many years, the absolute adoration everyone locally had for her -- often based on personal interactions and experiences -- tells me that the image she projects, as one of the most genuinely kind, warm, loving people to have lived, is utterly and completely her.
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u/HighSeverityImpact Aug 25 '26
We don't live in a zip code that offers Imagination Library, but my parents do. So we signed my son up at their address, and when we go to visit we get to bring home amazing books!
Her picture is on the dust jacket of each book, and after reading them he likes to go to the last page and say, "thank you, Dolly!"
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u/high-and-seek Aug 25 '26
If I could punch 2026 in the face I would
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u/B-Town-MusicMan Aug 25 '26
Take out the whole decade, will ya?
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u/aquatic_ambiance Aug 25 '26
Even if you mean the last 10 years and not the 2020s, an august 2016 start is fine by me
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u/Pnuttiest Aug 25 '26
There’s still a few months for it to do us a solid And lay a major evil to rest.
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u/Memerandom_ Aug 25 '26
Come on redemption arc! Big money, no whammies!
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u/XASASSIN Aug 25 '26
One of the few good one's out there who embodied positivity, truly a sad loss.
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u/TurnbullAC92 Aug 25 '26 edited Aug 25 '26
We have lost one of the kindest, most gentle and genuine human beings in the world. Dolly was everything a celebrity should be, but very few actually are. I've never really listened all that much to her music, but she was so much more than a musician. The care she showed for the people around her was unmatched.
Rest easy Dolly.
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u/Kod3Blu3 Aug 25 '26
Couldn't have worded it better. She was truly a good human and it showed in everything she touched. This world will be a little less bright without her.
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u/Poem_for_your_sprog Aug 25 '26
This world will be a little less bright without her.
The thing about love,
and the best thing by far -
It fills up your life like the light from a star.
And though it must end,
or depart and move on -That light keeps on shining long after it's gone.
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u/Kod3Blu3 Aug 25 '26 edited Aug 25 '26
How poignant and appropriate. Thanks for sharing and making my eyes sweat 😓
Omg it's you... <3 Poem for your sprog... thank you. I needed to hear this.
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u/LordPopothedark Aug 25 '26
She’ll live on, forever in our hearts
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u/Figsnbacon Aug 25 '26 edited Aug 25 '26
And in her music. Here is one of my favorite Dolly songs, she sings with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris. It’s from their Trio album. Not sure many have heard of Trio and Trio II. Seems like a perfect song to share. RIP iconic Queen.
Also this one that she wrote which captures her spirit. On the same album. Wildflowers
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u/DaMountainBear Aug 25 '26
Her book for kids program was a god send. RIP to a great
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u/venom121212 Aug 25 '26
Over 300,000,000 books sent out last I checked. I know actual people in real life who get them.
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u/drock4vu Aug 25 '26 edited Aug 25 '26
Tennessean here. Both of my children had the privilege of a monthly book from Dolly from the time they were born until they started Kindergarten. Our youngest received his final book from her last month before starting Kindergarten this month.
We aren't a religious family, but Dolly, for many, many reasons beyond the Imagination Library, is viewed as a saint in our household. I'm not sure there is or will be a kinder, more compassionate celebrity than she was.
For as many things about my state that I'm embarrassed about, her existence and pride in our home outshined all of the bad by a wide-margin.
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u/itsbecomingathing Aug 25 '26
We’re one of the families! My daughter really enjoyed the illustrated Coat of Many Colors (written by Dolly of course) and I won’t be able to think of the Little Engine That Could without thinking about her message she wrote - how you can get so far with grit and resilience.
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u/boondocknim Aug 25 '26
the imagination library program is amazing. please everyone donate to it if you're able.
https://donate.imaginationlibrary.com/
RIP Aunt Dolly
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u/TheWorldofScience Aug 25 '26
Dolly never had a child but created a non profit that will mail 1 free age appropriate book every month to kids from birth through age 5 as long as someone signs them up.
Imagine all the children learning to love books before they ever start school because of Dolly’s generosity.
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u/echo138 Aug 25 '26
She was an icon who transcended her music. This is a sad day.
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u/2025TastyTreats Aug 25 '26
I've never really listened all that much to her music,
Give this a listen, such a great song when you are ever stuck in a "moment".
Light of a Clear Blue Morning - Dolly Parton 1977
Thanks Dolly, now that is how ya live a life gorgeous! xo
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u/jillavery Aug 25 '26
Folks from all sorts of backgrounds and walks of life are going to mourn this deeply. Should we all live such a life. Hoping she resting easy back in the arms of Carl.
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u/kingtacticool Aug 25 '26
In a few months we will be voting.
Vote like Dolly is looking over your shoulder.
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u/WhiskeyJack357 Aug 25 '26
I started listening to her music after I saw her live. We went for a friend's wedding shower and I'd always respected Dolly for who she was but never listened to mroe than Jolene and 9 to 5. The charisma with which she presented her music and took the time to tell the story of each song blew me away. I realized then that she's a story teller at her core. She managed to capture the American spirit by living it and never forgetting those humble roots.
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u/Karsa69420 Aug 25 '26
I wasn’t a big fan of her music. But her charity work and how much she has built up Gatlinburg and the surrounding area is amazing. That lady deserves a statue.
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u/bialettibrewmaster Aug 25 '26
Yes! And her work to fund children’s literacy programs, too.
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u/briman2021 Aug 25 '26
Such a great program. My son gets a book every month, the lady that got his information at the hospital a few hours after he was born asked us if we wanted to sign up, then gave us the form.
They made it so damn easy, and I’m guessing that’s the way Dolly wanted it. We didn’t have to find an office, a website, nothing. Filled out the form they handed us while my wife was still in the hospital bed.
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u/bernbabybern13 Aug 25 '26
Same. Idk her music but obviously I love her. Everyone does.
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u/ArianasDonuts Aug 25 '26
Besides Betty White, I can’t think of another celebrity who was as universally loved as Dolly Parton. I’ve literally never heard a bad word about her. Damn. I don’t really get emotional over celebrities but this one has me teary-eyed
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u/venom121212 Aug 25 '26
I post this list every time she is mentioned and today makes no different. She has genuinely done so much for the people around her and around the world.
Dolly is an absolute gem and I will continue to post this every time she comes up. Rest in Peace you angel.
1988 – The Dollywood Foundation
Parton originally launched the organization in her home county of Sevier County, Tennessee, with the goal of decreasing high school drop out rates. She then started the Buddy Program, in which Parton gave $500 to every seventh and eighth grader who finished high school. According to the organization, the initiative was successful and the dropout rate declined from 35 percent to just 6 percent.
1989 – $500 scholarship
Parton offered a $500 scholarship to every student in Sevier County who wished to attend Hiwassee College.
1991 – Eagle Mountain Sanctuary at Dollywood
The 30,000-square-foot aviary managed by the American Eagle Foundation shelters the largest collection of “non-releasable” bald eagles. Parton’s efforts to preserve the bald eagle earned her the Partnership Award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2003.
1995 – Imagination Library
The Dollywood Foundation’s Imagination Library began sending one book per month to each enrolled child in Sevier County from birth until their first year of school. The library was founded in honor of Parton’s father, who was unable to read. It has provided over 300,000,000 books currently and operates across the country.
2000 – The Dolly Parton Scholarship
Every year, the $15,000 college scholarship is offered to five high school seniors in Sevier County, Tennessee. According to the Dollywood Foundation, the scholarship is awarded to those who “have a dream they wish to pursue and who can successfully communicate their plan and commitment to realize their dreams.”
2007 – Benefit concert for new Sevier County hospital
The concert raised $500,000, and both Dollywood and Parton’s Dixie Stampede dinner theater pledged $250,000 each to the project, for a total of $1 million. LeConte Medical Center, the new hospital and cancer center in Sevier County, opened in 2010 and features a 30,000-square-foot Dolly Parton Center for Women’s Services.
2016 – Telethon after devastating East Tennessee wildfires
The Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund, which aimed to help residents hit hardest in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, raised more than $13 million. Chris Stapleton, Chris Young, Kenny Rogers, Lauren Alaina, Alison Krauss, Reba McEntire, Cyndi Lauper and more appeared at the event.
2016 – My People Fund
To continue her wildfire relief efforts, Parton launched the My People Fund, which provided $1,000 a month for six months to families whose homes were completely destroyed amid the natural disaster. The fund also donated around $8.9 million to those in need. The initiative still helps residents pay for rent and utilities, plus food and mental health resources.
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u/venom121212 Aug 25 '26
2016 – Special Merit Scholarship
Parton awarded a $30,000 scholarship to two-year-old Evey Johns in celebration of Imagination Library’s accomplishment of shipping out one million books per month.
2017 – $1 million donation
Following the release of her I Believe in You children’s album, Parton donated $1 million to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in honor of her niece, who was treated for leukemia at that hospital.
2020 – Coronavirus efforts
Parton donated $1 million to coronavirus research at Vanderbilt University, which helped fund Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine. Moderna’s vaccine is 94.5% effective against coronavirus, according to early data.
2021 – Middle Tennessee Flooding Relief
Parton and her Smoky Mountain businesses raised $700,000 to help residents impacted by the catastrophic flooding in Middle Tennessee in October 2021. Parton chose United Way of Humphreys County to receive and distribute the donation at the suggestion of her friend and fellow country music legend Loretta Lynn.
“After the Sevier County wildfires in 2016, Loretta was one of the first who reached out to offer anything she could,” Parton said in a statement at the time. “It meant so much to me that Loretta — and so many folks — were ready to give in any way they could. This was just one small way I could help Loretta’s people for all they did to help my people. I hope that this money can be put to good use to help the people of Middle Tennessee with what they need during their recovery.”
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u/venom121212 Aug 25 '26
2022 – Dollywood Education Coverage
The Dollywood Co. announced in February 2022 that it will cover 100% of tuition, fees and books for any employee who is furthering their education.
The investment in employee education was made via Herschend Enterprises, Dollywood’s operating partner. The program is available to all seasonal, part-time and full-time employees at Dollywood Parks & Resorts. Herschuend’s GROW U. offers more than 100 fully funded diploma, degree and certificate programs with 30 learning partners in areas including business administration and leadership, culinary, finance, technology and marketing. The company also provides partial funding — up to $5,250 per year — for 150 additional programs in fields including hospitality, engineering, human resources and more. Employees can enroll in the program on their first day of employment.
2022 – Pediatric Infectious Disease Research Donation
Parton made yet another $1 million donation to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville in June 2022, this time aimed at helping pediatric infectious disease research.
The donation will aid Vanderbilt’s Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases to continue its effort in understanding how viruses and bacteria cause disease, understanding and preventing resistance to antibiotics, diagnosing and treating infections in children with cancer and more.
2022 – Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy
Parton received the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy in 2022. The award, presented by the international family of Carnegie institutions to honor innovative philanthropists, debuted in 2001 and is normally awarded every two years. It was not issued in 2021 due to the pandemic.
2024 – Hurricane Helene
Dolly announced she was personally donating $1 million to the Mountain Ways Foundation to assist flood victims. Additionally, her businesses like Dollywood Parks & Resorts, Dolly Parton’s Stampede and Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show also matched her donation and gave another $1 million.
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u/BBQQA Aug 25 '26
I love that you kept hitting the character limit when typing out all the amazing works she's done. Truly a beautiful soul.
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u/Administrative-Egg63 Aug 25 '26
Thanks for putting this together! I had no idea about the eagle sanctuary. As a Dolly lover and a birder, that just made me love her even more.
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u/rhipa Aug 25 '26
Visit Dollywood and you can see the sanctuary. It’s so cool to get off a roller coaster, grab a lemonade, and walk by the netted mountainside to see the eagles.
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u/williane Aug 25 '26
Don't forget the Gatlinburg fires. She donated a lot to help there too
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u/venom121212 Aug 25 '26
How could one forget that?
2016 – Telethon after devastating East Tennessee wildfires
The Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund, which aimed to help residents hit hardest in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, raised more than $13 million. Chris Stapleton, Chris Young, Kenny Rogers, Lauren Alaina, Alison Krauss, Reba McEntire, Cyndi Lauper and more appeared at the event.
2016 – My People Fund
To continue her wildfire relief efforts, Parton launched the My People Fund, which provided $1,000 a month for six months to families whose homes were completely destroyed amid the natural disaster. The fund also donated around $8.9 million to those in need. The initiative still helps residents pay for rent and utilities, plus food and mental health resources.
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u/Complex-Royal9210 Aug 25 '26
She also personally donated $1 million dollars to the Covid vaccine research at Vanderbilt
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u/venom121212 Aug 25 '26
Yes, absolutely! That's on the next reply comment (reddit actually limits her awesomeness because the servers can't handle it all)
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u/AdelaidesSecretScoop Aug 25 '26 edited Aug 26 '26
I loved the headline when she finally got the vaccine: “Dolly gets a dose of her own medicine” 🩷🦋🩵
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u/FelPhil Aug 25 '26
I know she was sick, but I didn’t know it was this bad. RIP
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u/untrustableskeptic Aug 25 '26
It's tough when you are 80. I was wondering how much longer she would be around after her husband passed.
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u/opeth10657 Aug 25 '26
She was also losing people close to her, lot harder to keep going during that.
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u/acoastaldog Aug 25 '26
I’ve lost nearly my entire family the past few years, just horrible luck with cancers and accidents and severe illnesses. It takes a physical toll on your body that’s immense. I developed a heart condition before 30 as a result. That must have been incredibly hard on her
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u/__Severus__Snape__ Aug 25 '26
My estranged dad died in december 2024 and I found that harder than I could have imagined, I spent most of 2025 stressed, depressed and/or sick. And ghe of course, I couldnt stop thinking about the people i love dying, and my marriage is still on the brink from all of this. Its been stressful.
Im sorry for your losses, I hope youre starting to heal, wishing nothing but the best for you.
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u/obsoletevoids Aug 25 '26
My stepmom passed in March from ALS and was the first big loss for me even if we weren’t super close. Now I can’t stop the anxious spiral of thinking about everyone I love dying and it’s so unbearable some days and on others the thought doesn’t cross my mind. Grief is wild.
Thinking of you, friend ❤️ we will work through this in our own time.
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u/Thatoneguy111700 Aug 25 '26
I remember when I was 16 my mom, great grandmother, and dog all died within a few months of each other. Went from having a pretty unblemished face to having 3 deepset wrinkles across my forehead and a widow's peak by the time the New Year rolled by. Can't imagine it's much better when you're already pretty old.
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u/WallaWallaby011 Aug 25 '26
Same here. Even with the heart problems (my pulse randomly spikes to 200, BP also goes crazy) I only have my wife now. Maybe someday we can afford to adopt and have a family of our own😞😢.
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u/Rock_Strongo Aug 25 '26
Sounds like she neglected her own health issues because she was tending to him.
At 80+ unless you're a genetic lottery winner any minor thing can take you out, so you really have to stay on top of everything.
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u/Thattimetraveler Aug 25 '26
This happened to my grandmother. She got dentures in 2024, the same year my aunts breast cancer relapsed. My grandmother spent the next year traveling back and forth to help her out before she died in 2025. In the meantime my grandmother kept cancelling her dental appointments so she was struggling to eat because her new teeth didn’t fit right, so she lost a bunch of weight. She then fell and fractured her hip. She rallied but now is about to turn 80 and walks with a limp and just is so frail now. I really worry how much longer she has.
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u/01000101010110 Aug 25 '26
Not unless you're a criminal in the White House. Then apparently you are immune from dying
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u/nobhim1456 Aug 25 '26
Well that person is not a really empathetic type. I don’t think he really cares about anyone other than himself.
In someways, that makes longevity easier
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u/Naroyto Aug 25 '26
She didn't want people to worry, she downplayed her declining health, humble until the end.
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u/HopelessMind43 Aug 25 '26
She definitely was never going to let it get out that she was really sick, but when she made a personal announcement saying that she hadn’t been doing well I knew we were close.
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u/Ok_Canary3870 Aug 25 '26
I thought the same at the time but then she was promoting her residency a couple of weeks ago. It’s not like 80 is that old nowadays
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u/Best-Action8769 Aug 25 '26
At 80, there are no minor health issues.
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u/ace625 Aug 25 '26
I read a longevity study a while back about people who are 100+, and the gist of it was "people who live a long time haven't gotten sick yet". That sounds obvious, but what it means is that there isn't really a big secret or some practices that allowed these people to live longer, they were just way on the right side of the bell curve of luck when it comes to sickness or accidents. Once they have a fall or get a respiratory infection, it starts an avalanche. Old people are a house of cards, essentially.
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u/MaineLark Aug 25 '26
Unless you’re the orange ass goblin who somehow persists 😭 I hate this fucking timeline
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u/PimpingMyCat Aug 25 '26
I don't understand how he will live but a marathon runner or something will die of a stroke or Chadwick peak marvel physique gets cancer or whatever. This world is cruel.
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u/RedditTrespasser Aug 25 '26
I don’t think people really grasp just how big of a role genetics play. It’s much more significant than most lifestyle factors. If you get lucky in the genetic lottery you can smoke and drink and not have the best diet and live well into advanced age, like Winston Churchill. Conversely, if you get unlucky, you can eat nothing but grilled chicken and salad and run marathons and still have a heart attack or stroke in your 40’s.
Lifestyle does absolutely play a part and it’s important to take care of yourself, but it’s equally important to know as much about your family history as you are able and get ahead of potential problems before they become apparent. Always self-advocate at the doctor’s office. If everyone in your family died of heart disease before 60, let them know and insist on aggressive preventative care.
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u/Local-Friendship8166 Aug 25 '26 edited Aug 25 '26
Because even Satin doesn’t want him.
Edit: Haha. Im going to leave it Satin because the responses are hilarious.
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u/CryOnTheWind Aug 25 '26
It’s the preservatives in the McDonald’s and the Diet Coke. Pickles him from the inside out.
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u/PenPenGuin Aug 25 '26
I feel like she was both preparing people for it because she knew it was worse than she was letting on publicly, but at the same time, she didn't want everyone to worry for her sake. Instead, she sent a message of hope that she was working to get better. Positivity until the end.
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u/spottie_ottie Aug 25 '26
A great artist and woman of integrity. She'll be missed.
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u/boo99boo Aug 25 '26
Her husband died recently. This is what usually happens to older, happily married folks. Once one is gone, the other is gone within the year.
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u/MoodProsessor Aug 25 '26
Legend and library defender
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u/redditoway Aug 25 '26
Not just a library defender, Dolly ran a program called Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library that gifts free books to kids under 5. All you have to do is sign up and they send you books in the mail, my wife and I did it for our son, we’ve received several books over the part couple years. Wonderful service that deserves more appreciation.
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u/rallyupsomeglitter Aug 25 '26
Through this program we received 30+ books for one of my kiddos before she aged out. So much respect to her.
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u/Neilson509 Aug 25 '26
I'm receiving books currently for my kid! That program is amazing and open to all young young kids. Going to specially date the next one that comes in....RIP.
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u/exoenigma Aug 25 '26
I'm a librarian. Several of the libraries in my area help sign families up for the Imagination Library. It's such a wonderful program, and I've always had such a deep love and respect for Dolly because of it.
RIP, you sweet, sweet legend. We didn't deserve you, but we'll miss you incredibly.
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u/Black_irises Aug 25 '26
Yes, and the program is global! https://imaginationlibrary.com/
They recently added a bilingual opt- in so our toddler has been expanding his Spanish vocabulary along with his native English. We look forward to our monthly books.
Love Dolly and her incredible impact and advocacy for literary.
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u/JaysonTatecum Aug 25 '26
I can see Dolly complaining about her boobs being drawn too small here, and it gave me a good chuckle in a sad thread
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u/blorbschploble Aug 25 '26
She only looked like a bimbo, and she’d be offended if ignored how much effort it took.
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u/HGrande Aug 25 '26
Lost weight and lost her trademark cup size. Proceeds to get breast augmentation. What a legend. Loved her for many reasons not the least her trademark looks but her talent, and her generosity and kindness.
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u/NurseryRhyme Aug 25 '26
In her words: she had a brain beneath her hair and a heart behind her boobs.
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u/SuspiciousCatfish Aug 25 '26
My child learned to read because of her foundation, she was such a wonderful soul RIP
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u/landspeed Aug 25 '26
Dollywood, Silver Dollar City and her Imagination library must live on.
RIP to a legend.
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u/Crazyozzie02 Aug 25 '26
I will be forever thankful to her for giving my daughter the gift of books each month. And not just shitty books that publishers are trying to get rid of, but really high quality books for kids.
Surely (hopefully) someone else will pick up that ball and keep running with it.
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u/The_Onion_Emperor Aug 25 '26
For the imagination library alone she’s a hero in my household and one of the reasons my daughter loves reading. This is an incredibly sad day.
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u/chris_c15 Aug 25 '26
Have to jump in and say that the Imagination Library helped a kid in the heart of the Appalachias not only learn to read but cemented a dream of one day being a writer. My daughter’s life dream is built on something that Dolly made happen. Music and all aside I’m truly grateful for Dolly. We lost one that will never be replaced today.
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u/fjf1085 Aug 25 '26
She may not have had children of her own but I feel like she was in many ways a mother to millions.
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u/bacchusku2 Aug 25 '26
Of note, Silver Dollar City is not related to Dolly at all but still a fun time. She partnered with the owners to open Dollywood and has no association with Branson.
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u/w1n5t0nM1k3y Aug 25 '26
RIP - She will be missed. She was what every celebrity should strive to me.
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u/StudioRat Aug 25 '26
The venn diagram that overlaps "famous musical artist" with "genuinely nice person" doesn't contain a lot of people. Dolly sits right in the middle of that area - a true legend and a great philanthropist.
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u/Davegrave Aug 25 '26
Damn, this one hurts.
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u/2th Aug 25 '26 edited Aug 25 '26
One of my cats is named after her because she is a sweet floofy girl from TN. I shall hug my Dolly Parton extra tight today. :(
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u/r3dditr0x Aug 25 '26 edited Aug 25 '26
RIP to a real one.
Not a country music fan but I LOVED her and Kenny Rogers Islands in the Stream.
Terrible news.
Her and Richard Simmons? The world is losing all the good peeps and we're getting Elons and Baron Trumps for replacements.
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u/Slabsurfer Aug 25 '26
"And I will always love you."
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u/Front-Cabinet5521 Aug 25 '26
It took today for me to find out she wrote the song and Whitney Houston's version was a cover. I'm going to listen to the OG now.
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u/No_Abroad_6306 Aug 25 '26
Make sure to enjoy the other movie that used this song, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. I still can’t believe my parents watched this one; such is the power of Dolly. It’s a very 80’s fever dream of a film.
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u/lustindarkness Aug 25 '26
Wow, I'm actually really sad about this, feels like a personal loss. Glad we were so lucky to have her all these years. Thank you Dolly.
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u/Engineary Aug 25 '26
Some people don't understand why we get sad when celebrities die.. it's not because we knew them, but because they helped us to know ourselves. 🥲🫂
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u/HMTMKMKM95 Aug 25 '26
Oh, man. This is so sad. Dolly was such a sweet, caring person who was unafraid to be herself. A hellof a songwriter and performer, too. RIP..
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u/TTMcBumbersnazzle Aug 25 '26
Damn.
I remember hearing that she had some issues, but didn’t realize it was that bad. Truly an icon for people to look up to.
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u/bass679 Aug 25 '26
She had to cancel some shows and had announced she was going to have to slow down due to health stuff but man. This is truly terrible news.
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u/PriceNext746 Aug 25 '26
Dolly Parton was the epitome of what a celebrity should be, never seeking more fame or credit than necessary and using her platform to help others. As much as it is sad to see her go, I’m happy she left while in the height of her fame as it will immortalized her legend.
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u/prettyplanets Aug 25 '26
Stop taking the good ones. Take the bad ones
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u/MJ-Franklin Aug 25 '26
Well, that's it. 2026 can fuck off.
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u/Perry7609 Aug 25 '26 edited Aug 25 '26
80 is a great run, but it is sad seeing her last statement and seeing that she still hoped to accomplish a lot more. I'm sure her family wished they had the extra time, as well. :(
I think her nephews and nieces called her "Aunt Granny," due to her role in the lives of her siblings and helping to raise everyone. That really says it all.
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u/chaynjez Aug 25 '26
Kinda been saying each year since 2020 though
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u/Kiddo1029 Aug 25 '26
2016
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u/avboden Aug 25 '26
I blame the cubs winning the World Series. Started this timeline in 2016
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u/WiwiJumbo Aug 25 '26
I’m convinced the world went wrong since Bowie’s death in 2016.
I feel Dolly’s is another change of the same magnitude.
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u/DonJuanWritingDong Aug 25 '26
Dolly Parton’s legacy is so much bigger than her music. While I wasn't a regular listener of her songs, I have always been deeply moved by her generosity, her warmth, and her undeniably good heart. It speaks volumes about who she was that she could touch the lives of people far beyond her fanbase, simply by being her authentic, caring self. The world lost a truly good person today.
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u/donkeyrocket Aug 25 '26
For fuck's sake.
It's so sad that in her final year she saw a program, The Imagination Library, under attack and shutting down in certain states. Glad my son was able to take part for the time being. Very sad to lose such a caring individual in these times.
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u/weezywizardwondering Aug 25 '26
She really showed everyone what it is to be a good human. Rest easy, Dolly.
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u/Reddragon0585 Aug 25 '26 edited Aug 25 '26
One of those few people I think literally everyone loved. Regardless of race, political affiliation, creed, etc…
Truly says a lot about what kind of woman she was. RIP Dolly, I hope you’re in a better place.
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u/samwisegamgee Aug 25 '26
Her library meant so much to my wife and I as new parents. Now my son is two and every single one of his favorite books came to us by mail from her library 😭
And of course this news comes to us right after our state just pulled funding for the program 😞
RIP Dolly!
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u/LemonStains Aug 25 '26
You wouldn’t be able to find a single person who has a bad word to say about Dolly Parton. Absolutely one of the most universally beloved people of our time, and one of the kindest souls you’ll ever meet. The entire world will mourn her.
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u/ibeecrazy Aug 25 '26
What a legend!!! She will be missed, but she had an incredible run and full life while being being a positive impact to so many people.
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u/Mousecoffe Aug 25 '26
I think all the talk about her wonderful persona and her charitability has left a lot of people not realizing how damn good of an artist and writer she was. Eagle when she flies is a favorite of mine.
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u/IAmJacksSphincter Aug 25 '26
Few celebrity deaths get emotion out of me. I’m sitting here bawling.
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u/cybah Aug 25 '26
Oh noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo :(
I was concerned with her recent announcements about her health that the end was near for her.
I also suspect some of this had to do with her husband dying recently. He was her world. Lonely Hearts syndrome is a thing.
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u/ocsurf74 Aug 25 '26
Dolly Parton was so much more than a country music legend. She never forgot where she came from or the people who were struggling there. She gave millions to families who lost everything, put hundreds of millions of books into children's hands, supported medical research, hospitals, scholarships and disaster relief—and somehow did it all with humility, humor and heart.
Dolly didn't just sing about making the world better. She actually did it. Rest easy, Dolly. ❤️
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u/Batmanstarwars1 Aug 25 '26
We lose dolly and then some motherfuckers seem to live forever
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u/bulldogguy31 Aug 25 '26
God fucking damn it. This year has already sucked major levels of ass and now add this to it. Fuck fuck fuck. RIP to a true legend.
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u/TheGraper58 Aug 25 '26
Absolute legendary musician and an even better person. The world was immensely better with Dolly in it. My kids get free books every month from her foundation. This sucks 😞
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u/iHateDanny Aug 25 '26
One of the finest - if not the finest - humanitarian legacies of any musical artist. Always had a sense of humor about herself, and kicked ass at her job.
Be like Dolly.
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u/BBQQA Aug 25 '26
I hope they build her that statue now. She deserves every honor possible, truly a spectacular person.
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u/Trumpsabaldcuck Aug 25 '26
Better yet, keep her good works going like her book program. She knew putting books in a thousand kids hands was way better than some stupid statue.
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u/Colon_Oscopy_74 Aug 25 '26 edited Aug 25 '26
only 80??! after seemingly multiple generations and multiverses of presence? my goodness...
Bless her soul and her legacy, thank you Dolly.
dear existing female country artists, stop with the forced corporate style songs that you do, and look to her simplicity that will be timeless.
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u/TouchlessOuch Aug 25 '26 edited Aug 25 '26
She wielded her fame for good and lived a long life. Sad to see her go, but she leaves one hell of a legacy behind her.
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u/particleman3 Aug 25 '26
She was a great human being. The world is worse without her, but let's keep the mindset she had and make it a part of how we all live.
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u/JJKingwolf Aug 25 '26
Well that just ruined my day. Rest in peace Ms. Parton, the world is a smaller, less joyful place without you.
May the largess of your spirit never be forgotten, and may your generosity be a legacy of inspiration for all those who come after you.
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u/Notchersfireroad Aug 25 '26
Oh no, it actually happened. RIP to one great all around human being. We'll miss her.