Tributes pour in for Dolly Parton after her death

Dolly Parton’s death at 80 prompted an outpouring of tributes from presidents, musicians, actors, fans and institutions around the world, reflecting an influence that reached far beyond country music.

Parton died Tuesday after health issues that had led her to cancel a Las Vegas residency earlier this year, the BBC reported. Within hours, social media filled with memories of her songs, humor, generosity and decades of philanthropy.

President Donald Trump ordered American flags lowered for a week in her memory, calling her death a “true loss for millions of people” and writing, “There has never been anyone like her, and never will.” Former President Bill Clinton said Parton was “one of a kind — a great songwriter and performer who told the stories of everyday Americans with honesty, humility, and heart.” He added that she “never forgot where she came from.”

From country music, the grief was immediate. Reba McEntire wrote that “my buddy Dolly passed onto the higher and greater side” and thanked her for “all the wonderful things you did for us here on earth.” She added, “There will never ever be another you.” Kacey Musgraves wrote, “This really hurts,” and also said, “The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden.” George Strait said Parton had “such a huge impact all over the world,” while Blake Shelton wrote that she was “the EXACT person that you think she is.”

The tributes crossed genres. Sir Paul McCartney called Parton a “magnificent star” and said her “songwriting, her singing and her philanthropy were unrivaled in the world of country music.” Sir Elton John said he was “shocked and devastated,” calling her “a giant of an artist — unique and irreplaceable, with the kindest heart.” Mick Jagger described her as a “wonderful songwriter and singer” who “brought so many people together.” Eminem, who said he never met Parton, posted a note she had sent congratulating him on his Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction and wrote, “Even for a kid who mostly listened to rap music, she was an icon.”

Oprah Winfrey remembered “having a hoot and a holler while wearing Bob Mackie gowns” on Parton’s show and wrote that the “girl from the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee dreamed a life and then lived a life bigger than she could have ever imagined.” Dionne Warwick said her “heart is heavy,” while Gloria Estefan called Parton “a force of nature whose enormous talent was matched by an even bigger heart.”

Actors and entertainers also mourned her. Lily Tomlin, Parton’s longtime friend and “9 to 5” co-star, wrote, “No words…” with a broken heart emoji. Keke Palmer, who starred with Parton in “Joyful Noise,” wrote, “I’m devastated. Truly.” The Muppets posted a photo of Parton with Miss Piggy, saying, “She filled the world with light.”

Many tributes highlighted Parton’s charitable work. Her Dollywood Foundation created Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which sent books to children around the world and was inspired by her father’s illiteracy. The Library of Congress called her a “titan of children’s literacy” and said she donated the 100 millionth book to its collection.

Parton also donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in 2020 to help fund an early-stage Covid vaccine trial. She later promoted vaccination by receiving the shot on video and adapting “Jolene” into “Vaccine.” Last year, the Motion Picture Academy awarded her the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.

Dollywood said its Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, theme park would open Wednesday. “In her spirit, Dollywood will be open Wednesday as Dolly wanted,” the company said, “always reminding everyone with her signature sparkle — ‘the show must go on.’”