Dolly Parton has died

Dolly Parton, legendary US country singer, dies aged 80

The singer died at her home in Nashville, Tennessee, earlier today, her family confirmed in a statement.

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Iconic country musician Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80, her family announced on her social media.

"Sadness lies with us, not with Dolly," Parton's nephew Brian Seaver said in a video announcement. "Dolly lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely."

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We can now bring you a statement put out by Dolly Parton's public relations team, confirming the death of the country singer.

"Global icon and humanitarian, Dolly Parton, known to the world as a beloved singer, songwriter, philanthropist, actress, playwright, and author died peacefully today in Nashville, Tennessee. She was 80 years old.

"Dolly is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years Carl Thomas Dean (1942 – 2025), her mother Avie Lee Caroline Owens (1923 – 2003), and father, Robert Lee Parton, Sr. (1921 – 2000).

"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. 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."

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It costs a lot of money to look this cheap!

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Lucan said:

I love a quotation from her about her own glitzy stage make-up :

I don't know much else about her but I once saw a TV debate in which she was a participant. I don't remember the topic but she came across as very intelligent.

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Buzby said:

I did like the story that Edinburgh’s ‘Dolly’ the cloned sheep was named after her.*

*(Due to the researchers using mammary glands as part of the process.)

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Tennessee governor plans to name Nashville airport after Dolly Parton

Thousands of fans have signed an online petition asking the airport to be named after her.

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Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has announced plans to name Nashville International Airport after Dolly Parton, following the 80-year-old country star's death from cancer this week.

The news comes after legions of fans signed an online petition to rename the airport after Parton, who was born in rural Tennessee and later moved to Nashville.

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How 'Book Queen' Dolly Parton inspired millions of children with gift of reading

Families across the globe share how free books from Parton's Imagination Library helped their children.

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... Imagination Library, the literacy programme begun by late global superstar Dolly Parton.

Parton, who died this week aged 80, launched the philanthropic effort in 1995 to honour her father - whose difficult Appalachian upbringing never allowed him to finish school or learn to read and write.

Imagination Library sends one free book a month to children from birth to age five. It first launched in Tennessee's Sevier County, where Parton grew up, before expanding across the US in 2000. The programme, which partners with local organisations, launched in Canada in 2006, the UK the following year, then Australia in 2013 and Ireland in 2019.

By 2025, as Imagination Library celebrated its 30th anniversary, it had distributed more than 300m books - equating to one book mailed every 78 seconds, according to the organisation.

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