Paul McCartney Recalls Meeting Dolly Parton in 1970s Nashville, Shares Touching Tribute: ‘Such a Wonderful Woman’

Paul McCartney shared heartfelt memories of meeting Dolly Parton at the Grand Ole Opry in the 1970s

McCartney praised Parton's unmatched talent, philanthropy, and business acumen in his emotional tribute following her death at 80 on Aug. 25

Parton's nephew announced her death months after she canceled her Las Vegas residency due to health challenges

Paul McCartney shared a heartfelt tribute to Dolly Parton following her death at 80 on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

McCartney, 84, shared two black-and-white photos taken by Jack Korn for The Tennesseean in 1974 in an Instagram post. The photos depict the pair of musicians first meeting, when McCartney and his late wife and Wings bandmate Linda McCartney visited Nashville to record the blues-rock influenced "Junior's Farm" and the country-tinged, fiddle-driven "Sally G."

In the photo, Parton can be seen greeting McCartney and his family, including daughters Heather and Mary.

"The magnificent star Dolly Parton has died and it is so sad," The Beatles alum began the tribute. "She was such a wonderful woman."

McCartney recalled first meeting the country icon at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, where she had been performing with Porter Wagoner . Parton would go on to pen her beloved emotional ballad " I Will Always Love You " about breaking from her musical partnership with Wagoner in 1974 in favor of pursuing a solo career.

"She was so bubbly and full of life it is difficult to take in the news that she has passed," McCartney added of Parton. "Her songwriting, her singing and her philanthropy were unrivaled in the world of country music and it is hard to imagine living in a world without Dolly."

The musician also described the "Jolene" singer as "a very clever business woman who understood the value of her music and, most importantly, the effect that she had on the people of the world."

"There was no greater honour for me than to have her sing my song ' Let It Be ' and, even though I only made a small contribution to it, I am so honoured that she did it," McCartney added of her 2024 cover of The Beatles' 1970 hit for her album Rockstar. "I am so proud to have known her and admire her unique talents." "Thanks Dolly for the beautiful music you gave me and the whole world," he concluded. "We will always love you, god bless and rest in peace. You were the best."

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Parton's nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced his aunt's death in an Instagram video on Aug. 25, months after the cancellation of her 2025 residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas due to "health challenges."

Parton's team later announced in a statement that her death came shortly after she was diagnosed with cancer .

"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," the statement read in part. "After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones."

In a November 2025 cover story interview, Parton opened up to PEOPLE about her then-upcoming 80th birthday, and her hopes for the remainder of her life and career, including her dedication to philanthropy, namely through her Imagination Library.

"I'm at that point in my life where I just want to be able to do good things that can be carried on," Parton told PEOPLE at the time. "I'm proud of my legacy so far, and I hope to just continue to do things that might be of use to other people."