Full story: Country legend dies aged 80 after a brief battle with cancer
Her death was announced by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, in an Instagram video posted Tuesday afternoon. The musician’s publicist confirmed Parton’s cancer diagnosis to the Associated Press later in the day, but did not give further details on her illness.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the statement from her reps to People magazine read.
“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.”
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Jacob Stolworthy & Kevin E G Perry26 August 2026 04:08
Stevie Nicks remembers ‘best week ever’ in the recording studio with Dolly Parton
Stevie Nicks has shared a tribute to Dolly Parton, recalling a week they spent together recording the song “What Has Rock And Roll Ever Done For You” for the singer’s 2023 album Rockstar.
“A week with Dolly was like a master class for me. I tried to be a sponge ~ and learn everything I could learn from her ~ in a very few days,” said Nicks. “Learning from her was easy because she was a really good teacher. I think she saw me as a really good student; I just tried to listen.”
“She said she could become a rock star ~ and I watched her do it. When I was there she was not even close to being finished gathering more rock & roll songs that she wanted to sing.
So, Dolly, Dolly, Dolly ~
Rock and Roll & Country ~
Carry all those songs with you ~
Sing your songs to all those you meet
This will be their blessing
Dolly, how we’ll miss you
There’ll never be another you ~
And I will always love you
Stevie Nicks said a week spent with Dolly Parton in the recording studio was ‘the best week ever’ (Instagram via @stevienicks)
Ellie Muir26 August 2026 22:52
TRIBUTE: How Dolly Parton taught millions of women to be unapologetically glam
“Part of Dolly Parton’s legacy was also her power to inspire women to be unapologetically glam through her unforgettable style: her signature peroxide wigs, rhinestone jumpsuits, bulletproof push-up bras, shoulder pads, red nails and six-inch stiletto heels.”
Read the full tribute below…
Ellie Muir26 August 2026 22:35
Sheryl Crow gets behind petition to rename Nashville airport for Dolly Parton
A petition calling for Nashville International Airport to be renamed in honor of Dolly Parton has received support from singer Sheryl Crow.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the Change.org petition to rename the airport to “Dolly Parton International Airport” has reached more than 95,000 signatures.
Crow publicly endorsed the effort, while Tennessee state Rep. Todd Warner pledged to introduce legislation that would rename the airport.
Ellie Muir26 August 2026 22:25
Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry to dedicate broadcast to Dolly Parton this weekend
Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry will dedicate Saturday night’s broadcast to Parton’s extraordinary legacy and her contributions to country music.
“In honor of Dolly’s incredible spirit of giving, a portion of ticket sales for Saturday’s show will be donated to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library,” the country music institution said on Instagram. “Join us in person or listen live on @wsmradio as we celebrate the life of a legend!“
Ellie Muir26 August 2026 22:08
Jelly Roll shares tribute to Dolly Parton: ‘We lost a legend’
Tennessee-born artist Jelly Roll shared a tribute to Parton while guest-hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live! Tuesday night, praising her as “an inspiration to so many, myself included.”
“We lost a legend today, the great Dolly Parton,” he told the audience. “She was such an inspiration to so many, myself included.”
He continued: “We’re both from Tennessee, and she meant a lot to my family, y’all. We used to sit around the kitchen table and listen to her music together as a family. I’ll never forget it.”
‘We lost a legend today, the great Dolly Parton,’ said Tennessee-born artist Jelly Roll (AFP/Getty)
Ellie Muir26 August 2026 22:03
Dolly Parton had projects in the works when she died, her manager says
Parton‘s longtime manager Danny Nozell has revealed that the singer had been working on forthcoming projects up until her death.
“Dolly worked up until the day she died. She loved seeing her dreams come to life and loved knowing her work brought people joy. Ever the planner, Dolly worked with the team that she handpicked for the past several years to build a project roadmap that will guide us for decades to come,” said Nozell.
“As the leader of the team responsible for overseeing her legacy, we will ensure the many dreams she had yet to fulfill are brought to life. Many projects were in various stages of development, and we want to be transparent with her fans about this fact. If you see unreleased music, products, books, experiences and campaigns launched through official Dolly Parton channels, you can have confidence in knowing that she placed her personal stamp on it,“ he added.
Projects in the pipeline include a Dolly avatar show, a Dolly Musical documentary, a Dolly biopic, a Dolly docuseries, a Dolly scripted series, a Billy the Kid animated series and more to be revealed at a later date, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Ellie Muir26 August 2026 21:18
Bebe Rexha pays tribute: ‘You showed generations of women that there is strength in knowing exactly who you are’
Bebe Rexha reflected on her time working with Parton in a tribute on Instagram.
The singers worked together on the song “Seasons,” released on Rexha’s 2023 Bebe album.
Rexha shared footage from the music video for the song, writing: Dear Dolly, Getting to sing with you was one of those dreams I never really believed would become real until it did,” she began. “I remember receiving your signed letter and thinking how incredibly special it was that someone as legendary as you could still make another person feel so seen. And then I got to work with you.”
“What I remember most wasn’t just your voice or your talent. It was your energy. Your class. Your kindness. Your humor. And I still remember being on set looking at you thinking, how is her corset tighter than mine and are heels higher than mine,” wrote Rexha. “You were completely done up, completely glamorous, and somehow still had more energy than everyone in the room.”
“I loved how unapologetically you were yourself. Watching your interviews over the years taught me that you never needed to make yourself smaller or to make other people comfortable,” she continued. “You could be glamorous and brilliant, funny and strong, feminine and powerful, all at the same time.”
She continued: “You showed generations of women that there is strength in knowing exactly who you are.”
Ellie Muir26 August 2026 21:02
Dolly Parton’s most iconic fashion moments from rhinestones to denim
Take a look back at the Queen of Country’s most iconic looks from across her seven-decade career…
Caitlin Hornik26 August 2026 20:49
Dolly’s final collaborator Belles speaks out
The 27-year-old country singer collaborated with Dolly on “Son of Jolene,” the song described as a modern continuation of the Queen of Country’s original tune.
Belles told People she was doing a radio interview speaking about her love for Dolly when news of her death broke.
“I literally thought it was a joke. I couldn’t believe it,” she recalls of her initial shock,” Belles told the outlet.
Belles said she was “so grateful and honored” to have worked with Dolly.
Asked about the “9 to 5” singer’s legacy, Belles said: “It’s her generosity, and she shared so much with me and so many other female artists and just the world and even just all of her charities. I mean, she just has left an incredible legacy.”
Caitlin Hornik26 August 2026 20:36