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Reactions and tributes are being shared all over the world for country singer and icon Dolly Parton, ITV News’ Mark McQuillan reports.
Tributes from musicians, politicians and celebrities have poured in for country superstar Dolly Parton, who died aged 80 on Tuesday.
Her nephew Brian Seaver confirmed the news with a video posted on Instagram, telling Dolly’s fans the singer had been known as “sister, sis, Aunt Granny, to one generation, and Gigi to the next”.
Seaver said Dolly had opened doors for her entire family “to reach the potential we didn’t even know was possible”, as well as for generations of “singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers, from every walk of life”.
Within minutes of her death being confirmed, tributes from around the world began pouring in, with popstar Miley Cyrus, who is Dolly’s goddaughter, saying the world had lost “the purest soul”.
She posted on X: “I can’t believe we just lost the purest soul. Rest in Glory, Dolly. My heart aches.”
In another message, she added: “RIP Dolly, you transcended time & you live in the hearts of entire generations.”
Sir Elton John said he was “devastated” to hear about Dolly Parton’s death.
In a tribute on his Instagram stories, the British star wrote: “Shocked and devastated to hear of Dolly’s passing. A giant of an artist – unique and irreplaceable, with the kindest heart.”
Singer Dionne Warwick said her heart was “heavy” as she wrote online: “I will certainly miss her laughter, jokes and her being. Rest well and in total peace my friend.”
Elton John and Dolly Parton perform together in 2005. Credit: AP
Country star Reba McEntire also made a personal tribute to her “buddy Dolly”, thanking her for the “wonderful things you did for us here on earth”.
“Your love, your music and you gave so much with your huge huge heart. There will never ever be another you. We will remember and cherish every memory and every note you ever played and sang,” she said.
“Thank you, Lord, for Dolly. She’s gonna have a blast in heaven singing all her favourite songs with all her family and friends who have gone on before her. I’ll never forget the first time I met you and I’ll never forget our last conversation.”
In a series of posts on X, country music star Kacey Musgraves wrote: “Dolly. This really hurts. The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden. So glad she’s with her Carl Dean. No one talk to me today.”
Sir Paul McCartney posted on Instagram a photo of him with Dolly Parton, and said: “The magnificent star Dolly Parton has died and it is so sad.
“She was such a wonderful woman. I first met her in Nashville at the Grand Ole Opry where she had been playing with the country star Porter Wagoner and was about to start her solo career.
“She was so bubbly and full of life, it is difficult to take in the news that she has passed.
“Her songwriting, her singing and her philanthropy were unrivalled in the world of country music and it is hard to imagine living in a world without Dolly.”
Sir Paul and fellow Beatle Sir Ringo Starr featured on Parton’s version of Let It Be on her final album Rockstar in 2023.
Lily Tomlin, who starred alongside Dolly Parton in the 1980 comedy film 9 To 5, posted a broken heart emoji on Instagram with the message “No words…”
Tomlin accompanied her message with a black and white photograph of the actresses stood together smiling.
Actor and producer Seth MacFarlane, who worked with her on “The Orville”, said her “kindness, generosity, and authenticity were evident from moment one”.
West End actress and former Love Island winner Amber Davies, who worked with Parton on the musical 9 to 5, wrote on her Instagram: “Heartbroken. One of the first people to ever believe in me. Dolly Parton, the world will not be the same without you.”
Trump said the US flag will be lowered throughout the country for one week Credit: PA
US President Donald Trump said flags would be lowered throughout the US in Parton’s honour.
He wrote on Truth Social: “This is a true loss for millions of people. There has never been anyone like her, and never will.”
The Empire State Building is set to glow pink overnight on Tuesday evening in Parton’s honour.
Parton was noted for her prolific charitable contributions, particularly her commitment to improving children’s literacy through book gifting programme Imagination Library, and the Dollywood Foundation.
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The Imagination Library, which posts books to children around the world every month, was founded in honour of her father, who never learned to read or write.
Harry Potter author JK Rowling said Dolly Parton had made “the best contribution to child literacy ever made by a celebrity”.
In a post on X, Rowling wrote: “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was the best contribution to child literacy ever made by a celebrity. Our paths crossed once, in the 90s, backstage at a talk show, and I was completely tongue-tied and starstruck.”
“RIP Dolly. You were a complete, irreplaceable one-off.”
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