Dolly Parton dies at 80

Dolly Parton — a country music songwriting legend and philanthropist who captured and united fans across the generational and political spectrum — has died. The “9 to 5” star “died peacefully” at 80 on Tuesday in Nashville, Tenn., her publicity team announced.

“A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family,” the statement from True Public Relations said.

In a video posted on Parton’s X account, Bryan Seaver, her nephew who served as the entertainer’s head of security, praised his aunt.

“Dolly opened doors not just for me, but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn’t even know was possible. Dolly also opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians, and dreamers from every walk of life and across every continent,” Seaver said.

“By her example, we believed that anything was possible. She never saw a door she couldn’t open, and the doors she opened made and changed history,” he added

Raised with her 11 siblings in a one-room cabin in rural Tennessee, Parton often reflected on her impoverished childhood in a “dirt poor” family.

“Mama used to sew all of our quilts and curtains for the windows, remake our clothes, and make clothes out of feed sacks or scraps,” she said .

Gifted a guitar by her uncle, Parton landed an appearance in 1967 on “The Porter Wagner Show.”

Hit after musical hit saw Parton’s career explode in the 1970’s, with chart-toppers including 1974’s “Jolene,” “Love is Like a Butterfly” and “I Will Always Love You.”

Parton married husband Carl Dean in 1966 and later translated her music fame into big screen success, starring in 1980’s “9 to 5” and penning the film’s ear-worm title song. Dean died last year.

In 1995, inspired by her father’s illiteracy, Parton launched Imagination Library. The organization mails free books to children from birth until they start school.

Parton marked a philanthropic milestone in 2018 in Washington, presenting the 100 millionth book donation from her Imagination Library to the Library of Congress’s collection.

But the visit to the nation’s capital was about the closest Parton would get to politics during her life. She repeatedly said in interviews over the years, “I don’t do politics.”

“My mother was a Democrat and my daddy was a Republican, so I’m a hypocrite,” Parton, leaning on her trademark wit, quipped in 2017.

In a 2023 song she wrote called “World on Fire,” Parton sung of “greedy politicians, present and past.”

“They wouldn’t know the truth if it bit ‘em in the ass,” she sang in her tune.

“I don’t think any of them are trying hard enough,” Parton said of lawmakers in an interview when asked about the song.

“I think often that they worry more about the party than they do about the people,” she said.

In recent years, Parton said she had turned down the Presidential Medal of Freedom due to personal reasons after it was offered multiple times by both former President Biden and President Trump.

“I couldn’t accept it because my husband was ill and then they asked me again about it and I wouldn’t travel because of the COVID,” Parton said in 2021 of the country’s highest civilian honor.

Despite the polarized political climate, Parton appeared to be universally adored.

A 2019 New York Times headline proclaimed, “Is There Anything We Can All Agree On? Yes: Dolly Parton.”

In the Parton family’s statement delivered by Seaver on Tuesday, he said his aunt lived “a rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see.”

“Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience. With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact,” Seaver said.

In a statement posted to Truth Social, Trump called her “one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER.”

“In her honor, I am lowering the American flag throughout the United States for a one week period beginning tonight at 6:00PM. Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you,” he wrote.

The Parton family asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Parton’s Imagination Library .

“Dolly was a farmer, just like her daddy. He farmed the soil, she farmed songs and happiness,” Seaver said.

“Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones,” Seaver said, “she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.”