Dolly Parton death latest: Taylor Swift leads tributes as country legend dies after ‘brief battle’ with cancer

Dolly Parton death latest: Taylor Swift leads tributes as country legend dies after ‘brief battle’ with cancer The music icon, who was known for timeless hits including ‘9 to 5’ and ‘Jolene,’ wrote more than 3,000 songs across her illustrious career Dolly Parton, the Queen of Country music, has died at the age of 80 following a “brief battle” with cancer, her representative confirmed. Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced the news of her death on behalf of the family on Tuesday, saying, “Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus.” Later Tuesday, a rep for Parton said, “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 statement to CNN and People. Fans and friends from around the world are paying tribute to the legendary singer, known for her hits “9 to 5” and “Jolene.” Fellow country singer Reba McEntire wrote in part on X, “Dolly, thank you for all the wonderful things you did for us here on earth. Your love, your music and you gave so much with your huge huge heart. There will never ever be another you.” Taylor Swift was among those remembering Parton, describing her as “the gift that kept on giving” and saying her legacy would be “an everlasting one”. Donald Trump ordered flags to fly at half-staff in the US to honor Parton, writing on Truth Social: “This is a true loss for millions of people. There has never been anyone like her, and never will.” Joan Jett remembers Dolly Parton as ‘a musical genius’ Joan Jett has paid tribute to Dolly Parton, describing the country icon as “a one of a kind, altruistic, down to earth, musical genius”. “Working with her was one of the highlights of my career,” Jett wrote in a tribute shared on social media. The pair worked together on Parton’s 2023 rock album Rockstar, with Parton covering Joan Jett & the Blackhearts’ 1988 hit “I Hate Myself for Loving You”. Jett joined Parton on vocals for the track, which appeared on Parton’s first full-length rock album. ‘The work ahead has never felt more meaningful’: Dolly Parton’s literacy programme pays tribute Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has vowed to continue the singer’s work following her death, saying her vision was always to build something that would “last for generations”. It recalled how proud Parton was of the programme, particularly because of its connection to her father, quoting her as saying: “My Daddy told me the Imagination Library was probably the most important thing I had ever done.” In a statement, the organisation said: “The world grieves with us today. And yet we find ourselves just as certain about what comes next. For decades, Dolly & the team at The Dollywood Foundation – home of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library – worked to build something that would last for generations. So it will. "The work ahead has never felt more meaningful, and we will carry it forward as she lifts us all up. Dolly, we will always love you.” Parton launched the Imagination Library in 1995 in her home county of Sevier County, Tennessee, inspired by her father’s inability to read or write. The programme sends one free, age-appropriate book every month to children from birth to five, regardless of family income. It has since expanded across the US, Canada, UK, Australia and Ireland, gifting millions of books each month. ‘One of the greatest talents’: Lloyd Webber mourns Dolly Parton Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber has paid tribute to Dolly Parton, recalling the “incredibly special” time they spent together discussing songwriting. “Farewell dear Dolly,” Lloyd Webber wrote on X. “I’ll never forget the incredibly special time we spent in your trailer talking about songwriting. You were one of the greatest talents I’ve had the privilege of meeting. A great melodist and undisputed queen of storytelling songs.” Parton and Lloyd Webber were among the five recipients of the 2006 Kennedy Center Honors, which recognised their contributions to American culture. They attended the Washington ceremony together, where Parton was honoured for her work as a singer, songwriter and performer, while Lloyd Webber was recognised for his musical theatre career. ‘Her legacy will be an everlasting one’: Taylor Swift pays tribute to Dolly Parton Taylor Swift has paid tribute to Dolly Parton, describing her as “the gift that kept on giving”. “A world without Dolly doesn’t feel possible, real, or right,” Swift told The Hollywood Reporter. “But because of the eternally generous way she spent her time on this earth and the countless lives she changed for the better, her legacy will be an everlasting one.” She praised Parton for encouraging people to be themselves while sharing her lessons “gently and honestly, simultaneously, and oftentimes hilariously”. “She managed to give the world the ultimate mystery and fantasy in some corners of her life, but to give full transparency in the ways that counted. Somehow she was true grace and true grit, all in one dazzling person. She possessed the softest heart when it came to the struggles of others, and a backbone of steel to defend her own self worth as an artist” Swift said. Swift also highlighted Parton’s songwriting and philanthropy, including the millions of books distributed through her Imagination Library. “She was truly grace and true grit, all in one dazzling person,” Swift wrote. She ended her tribute: “For the tightropes she walked so that young girls like me could grow up dreaming of joining the circus too. Dolly, I’ll think of you each step of the way.” Linda Ronstadt on friend Dolly: 'The world is a poorer place without her' Linda Ronstadt has paid tribute to her friend Dolly Parton. “I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend, Dolly Parton. One of the most extraordinary musical experiences of my life was recording with her. The world is a poorer place without her,” she wrote on Facebook. Grand Ole Opry honors Dolly “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we say goodbye to a true country music icon, Opry member Dolly Parton. “There is no doubt Dolly’s mark on the world, and on us here at the Grand Ole Opry, will be deeply felt for generations to come. She taught us to always lead with kindness, generosity, and compassion. May her legacy live on through her songs, the lives she touched, and the countless artists she inspired. There will never, ever be another one like her. “We will always love you, Dolly,” the legendary Nashville music venue wrote on X. Meghan McCain on Dolly: ‘Singular in her impact, love, talent, music, kindness, passion and strength’ “Dolly Parton was an absolute American icon and legend. Singular in her impact, love, talent, music, kindness, passion and strength. There never was nor ever will be another like her,” the conservative figure wrote on X. “There are almost no words to express what a loss this is for America, she was one of the few people who had the ability to unite and truly bring everyone together through her music art, light and spirit. “On a personal note she is hands down the kindest, warmest, friendliest celebrity I had the pleasure of ever meeting. When people ask me the highlight of working at The View, I always say meeting Dolly Parton. “Her famous quote ~ “The way I see it if you want the rainbow, you’ve got to put up with the rain” has helped me through many tough moments and grief in life. “I am deeply saddened by this news just being a huge fan. We love you forever Dolly.” ‘The work ahead has never felt more meaningful’: Dolly Parton’s literacy programme pays tribute Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has vowed to continue the singer’s work following her death, saying her vision was always to build something that would “last for generations”. It recalled how proud Parton was of the programme, particularly because of its connection to her father, quoting her as saying: “My Daddy told me the Imagination Library was probably the most important thing I had ever done.” In a statement, the organisation said: “The world grieves with us today. And yet we find ourselves just as certain about what comes next. For decades, Dolly & the team at The Dollywood Foundation – home of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library – worked to build something that would last for generations. So it will. "The work ahead has never felt more meaningful, and we will carry it forward as she lifts us all up. Dolly, we will always love you.” Parton launched the Imagination Library in 1995 in her home county of Sevier County, Tennessee, inspired by her father’s inability to read or write. The programme sends one free, age-appropriate book every month to children from birth to five, regardless of family income. It has since expanded across the US, Canada, UK, Australia and Ireland, gifting millions of books each month. Full story: Country legend dies aged 80 after a brief battle with cancer Dolly Parton, who was born in a two-room log cabin and rose to become the world’s wealthiest country music star with timeless hits including “9 to 5” and “Jolene,” has died aged 80 after a “brief battle with cancer.” Her death was announced by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, in an Instagram video posted Tuesday afternoon. The musician’s publicist confirmed Parton’s cancer diagnosis to the Associated Press later in the day, but did not give further details on her illness. “Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the statement from her reps to People magazine read. “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. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.” Read on... Dolly Parton dies aged 80 after a brief battle with cancer Sesame Street honors Dolly for her dedication to children's literacy “Sesame Workshop mourns the passing of Dolly Parton, whose music and kindness inspired Polly Darton, a character featured on Sesame Street throughout the 1980s and 1990s. “Dolly Parton was not only a musician, but a philanthropist dedicated to children's literacy. Sesame Workshop is forever grateful for her dedication to children's literacy and education,” the children’s TV show wrote on X. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments Bookmark popover Removed from bookmarks