Dolly Parton has sadly died.
The iconic country legend died at the age of 80, as revealed in a video featuring her nephew shared on Tuesday, August 25.
Many stars are taking to social media to remember the late actress, who was known for being a prolific songwriter, cultural icon, and her philanthropy.
Reese Witherspoon
“I count my lucky stars that I called Dolly my friend. When I was playing June Carter Cash in Walk the Line, she took me to dinner and told me stories of how June Carter charmed everyone in country music. Dolly gave me the courage to put my whole spirit into that performance and made me see how lucky I was to be a storyteller. Throughout my entire career, she sent me little notes of encouragement and support, telling me to be the light in people’s lives and listen to my angels. Always signed: ‘I will always love you.’ Dolly, I miss you already. Your talent, your wisdom and your beautiful spirit lit up our lives. Go soar with your angels…. We will always love you,” shared Reese Witherspoon on Instagram.
Khloe Kardashian
“Some people are so extraordinary, their existence feels almost impossible. Dolly was one of those people. A once-in-a-lifetime soul. A woman whose light, heart, talent and humanity changed this world forever. To have admired her was a gift. To have met her, spent time in her presence, and somehow been lucky enough that Dolly Parton knew my name… I will never have words big enough for what that means to me,” Khloe Kardashian wrote in her Instagram Stories. The Kardashians star was a huge fan of Dolly and even had her as a guest on her podcast Khloe in Wonderland.
Lauren Sanchez Bezos
“Dolly is gone and my heart is so broken,” wrote Lauren Sanchez Bezos, wife of Jeff Bezos on Instagram. “I grew up on her music. I knew every song by heart. I still do. She was there for the best days of my life and the worst ones, and she never even knew it. That’s what she did for millions of us. Then I got to know her, and somehow she was more than the legend. She gave our Courage and Civility award its meaning, not the other way around. She said she’d always tried to put her money where her heart is. Her heart was with kids. It always was. Free books in the mail to children who had none, month after month, for thirty years, because her dad never learned to read. The songs will keep playing. We all know the words. Thank you, Dolly. I will always love you.”
Lily Tomlin
“No words…” wrote Dolly‘s longtime friend and collaborator Lily Tomlin.
Kelly Osbourne
“Dolly, thank you for paving the way. Not only for women in music, but for women everywhere to be unapologetically themselves. You showed us that we could be ambitious and kind, strong and soft, fearless and authentic. One of the greatest honors of my life was getting to work with you. Your legacy reaches far beyond music. Through your philanthropy, generosity, and commitment to literacy and education, you changed countless lives and made the world a better place. You used your success to lift others, proving that true greatness is measured not only by what we achieve, but by what we give. There will never be another Dolly Parton. Thank you for the music, the laughter, the love, and for leaving this world brighter, kinder, and better than you found it,” Kelly Osbourne wrote on Instagram.
Megan Hilty
“She made more of an impact on me than I can express in an Instagram post and this deep and profound loss will take quite some time to process. I am so grateful to have been in her orbit and we are all so lucky this actual angel walked among us,” said Megan Hilty. Megan starred in 9 to 5: The Musical, playing the iconic character Doralee Rhodes, who the country singer played in the 1980 film.
Derek Hough
“Heartbroken to hear about the passing of Dolly Parton. She was an absolute icon, a true legend not just for her music, but for her spirit, her kindness, her joy, her light. I was lucky enough to share the stage with her, something I will never take for granted. Her music and the way she made people feel will live on forever. Sending love to all she touched. Thank you, Dolly. You will never be forgotten,” wrote Derek Hough on Instagram.
Jamie Lee Curtis
“They say don’t meet your heroes. They were wrong about her. Her bravery to know that she was more than they thought she was and that she needed to break away and move on into new work and new possibilities led her to write I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU, as her way of thanking and loving, but moving on. She is a great example for us all,” Jamie Lee Curtis wrote on Instagram.
Kristin Chenoweth
“Like the rest of the world, I’m immediately heartbroken. I met Dolly on several occasions and she always made me feel like one of her own. She even agreed to sing with me on one of my records. My ultimate inspiration. The world has lost one of the best but I know we will never forget her because she is impossible to forget. I love you Dolly and I will ALWAYS love you,” Kristin Chenoweth wrote on Instagram.
Octavia Spencer
“Dolly you were a gift to the world, your voice, your philanthropic heart, and warmth made us a feel seen and that the world was a pretty decent place. We miss you,” Octavia Spencer wrote on Instagram.
Sarah Jessica Parker
“No!!!!!! I never met @dollyparton but my gosh, did I love her. I don’t think any of us had to know her to love her. One of the greatest this country ever produced. Legend. For real. Forever. And always advocating for those she knew and understood needed a champion. What a loss. But aren’t we so lucky,so fortunate for the endless gifts she shared. With the world. Godspeed and RIP. You will be terribly missed,” Sarah Jessica Parker said on Instagram.
Kelly Clarkson
“Dolly Parton had a way of making everyone feel special, and seen, and welcomed, and as if you were old friends. I will miss her heart and her voice as I am sure millions will. What an incredible gift and talent she was and still is with an amazing catalogue of art she has left behind for all of us,” Kelly Clarkson posted on X.
Carol Burnett
“I’m so sad right now. One of my favorite memories was taping the special Carol and Dolly in Nashville. We shot the week of Thanksgiving and Dolly made individual turkey dinners for every one of us, that she cooked herself. We were a family. That’s who she was,” shared Carol Burnett on Instagram.
Melissa Peterman
“There are so many stories being shared about Dolly all of them positive and full of love. I adored her music, her movies everything she did. In a divided world, Dolly was something everyone agreed on. She is a beautiful example on how to move through the world with kindness, compassion, generosity and love as your guide. Dolly was a force of good on this earth that transcended her incredible body of work. She will be greatly missed. Rest in Peace and thank you for all the joy you gave us,” Melissa Peterman wrote on Instagram.
Sophia Bush
“This one cuts deep. What an icon. What a humanitarian. What A GAL. We love you, Dolly,” commented Sophia Bush on an Instagram.
See how country music stars are reacting to Dolly Parton‘s passing at 80 years old.
Selma Blair
“The most gracious and supreme,” Selma Blair commented.
Luke Evans
“Rest in plush cotton dear Dolly we will always love you,” Luke Evans also commented.
Paris Hilton
Paris Hilton commented on the tribute Instagram post, too, saying, “Forever my icon, you will be missed.”
Sir Elton John
Sir Elton John paid tribute to Dolly in his Instagram Stories, “Shocked and devastated to hear of Dolly’s passing. A giant of an artist – unique and irreplaceable, with the kindest heart.”
Alyssa Milano
“She made the world kinder, funnier and a whole lot more sparkly. What a gift she was. Rest easy in comfy cotton, Dolly,” Alyssa Milano commented.
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez commented, “A masterclass in lighting up the whole world by being your true authentic self. With song, humor and love she made our lives and our world a better more beautiful place. I will miss you Dolly.”
Oprah
“One of my fondest memories with @dollyparton: Having a hoot and a holler while wearing Bob Mackie gowns on her show Dolly. This girl from the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee dreamed a life and then lived a life bigger than she could have ever imagined, giving so generously to others in ways we saw and ways we didn’t. No one like her. She brought the light, and we are all better because she was here. God bless you, Dolly—you earned your wings,” Oprah shared a tribute to Dolly on Instagram.
Keith Urban
“Heartbroken today. Dolly Parton honestly……. I have no words right now,” Keith Urban shared on his Instagram Stories.
Katharine McPhee Foster
“The world loved you so much, & so did I. It was a highlight of my life to spend a couple of hours with you and watching you just be the delightful, bright light of a woman you were. You knew what it meant to be an artist who brought everyone together. You were for everyone. Not just some. Enjoy Heaven, Dolly,” said Katharine McPhee Foster.
Dionne Warwick
“I will certainly miss her laugher, jokes and her being. Rest well and in total peace my friend. My heart is heavy,” shared Dionne Warwick on Instagram.
Brooke Shields
“Dolly, there will never be anyone else like you. I am gutted to hear the news. The world will forever be indebted to the good you’ve done and the legacy you’ve left. The equilibrium of the earth feels off. Thank you for everything,” Brooke Shields wrote on Instagram.
Here are the latest updates on Dolly‘s passing.
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