Global music icons Celine Dion, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift have paid tribute to legendary country music singer Dolly Parton, who died at the age of 80.
The American singer, songwriter and actress died on Tuesday, with her family announcing her death on Instagram.
Following the news of her passing, Hollywood and country music stars, as well as fans around the world, have flooded social media with tributes celebrating her life and career.
In a post on Instagram, multiple Grammy-winning singer Celine Dion described Parton as “pure light” with “a kind heart and a generous spirit”.
“We will now be missing one of the most joyful voices this world has ever known.
“Thank you for the music, the laughter, and the love you gave us all. We will always love you,” Dion said.
Taylor Swift said in a statement that a world without Parton “doesn’t feel possible, real, or right”.
She said Parton’s generosity and the countless lives she changed would ensure that her legacy remained everlasting.
“Dolly gave us someone to look up to while encouraging us to be who we are as individuals,” Swift said.
Beyoncé, who collaborated with Parton on her 2024 country album, “Cowboy Carter”, described the late singer as “the barometer” and “the north star”.
“I’m honored that I had the privilege to work with you. I will treasure that forever.
“Thank you for your profound impact on the world. You are an angel who has made this world a happier place because of your joyful art. You are truly one of one. Rest peacefully,” Beyoncé said.
Parton, who rose from humble beginnings in Tennessee to become one of country music’s most celebrated singers, had a career spanning more than six decades.
Born Dolly Rebecca Parton on January 19, 1946, she was the fourth of 12 children. Her father was an illiterate sharecropper who later worked his way up to owning a small tobacco farm.
Parton began performing as a child and, by the age of 13, had appeared on local radio and television in East Tennessee, performed at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and recorded her first single, “Puppy Love”.
After graduating from high school in 1964, she moved to Nashville the following day and began establishing herself as a songwriter.
She released her debut album, “Hello, I’m Dolly”, in 1967 and joined “The Porter Wagoner Show” the same year. Wagoner mentored her, and they went on to release several successful albums as a duo.
In 1973, Parton focused on her solo career and wrote “I Will Always Love You” about their professional separation. The song became a hit for Parton and was later famously recorded by Whitney Houston for the 1992 film “The Bodyguard”.
Parton also wrote “Jolene”, one of her most celebrated songs, around the same period. Both songs were featured on her 1974 album, “Jolene”, which helped introduce her to audiences beyond country music.
In 1977, she released “Here You Come Again”, her first album to sell one million copies. It also earned her first Grammy Award.
Parton wrote more than 3,000 songs, sold more than 100 million records worldwide and won 11 Grammy Awards. She became widely known as the “Queen of Country”.
In 1980, she made her acting debut alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the comedy film “9 to 5”. She also wrote and performed the film’s theme song, which became a number one hit and earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song.
Her acting career continued with roles in films including “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”, “Steel Magnolias” and “Joyful Noise”.
Beyond music and acting, Parton was also known for her philanthropy, particularly through the Dollywood Foundation’s Imagination Library, which promotes childhood literacy by providing free books to children.
She also supported medical research, disaster relief and other charitable causes, including a $1 million donation towards COVID-19 vaccine research.
In 2022, she was awarded the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy.
Parton’s death came 16 months after the death of her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025 at the age of 82.
