Country music superstar Dolly Parton dies aged 80
By Press Association
Country music superstar Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80, her family has announced.
The musician was best known for her genre-defining hits including 9 To 5, I Will Always Love You and Jolene.
In the video shared on Instagram, Parton’s nephew said: “My name is Brian Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean.
“Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next.”
He added: “This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality. As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”
Mr Seaver said: “It is an honour, an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly.
“Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens.”
The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, country music’s most well-known venue and where Dolly Parton first appeared at age 13, paid tribute to the late singer on Instagram.
“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.”
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Grand Ole Opry (@opry)
Jo Whiley introduced her BBC Radio 2 evening show by playing I Will Always Love You, Jolene and 9 To 5 in tribute to Dolly Parton after the singer’s death was announced in the 7pm news headlines.
Whiley said she was “taken aback” by the news and “so sad”, adding that Parton’s 2014 Glastonbury legends slot was “one of the most incredible performances”.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen that field fuller,” Whiley said, adding that she interviewed Parton at the festival and recalled “she was so kind and so lovely”.
Harry Potter author JK Rowling said Dolly Parton had made “the best contribution to child literacy ever made by a celebrity”.
In a post on X, Rowling wrote: “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was the best contribution to child literacy ever made by a celebrity.
“Our paths crossed once, in the 90s, backstage at a talk show, and I was completely tongue-tied and starstruck.
“RIP Dolly. You were a complete, irreplaceable one-off.”
Meanwhile, flags are to be lowered throughout America in honour of Dolly Parton, US President Donald Trump has announced.
In a post on Truth Social, he wrote: “Very sad to report that Dolly Parton, one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER, has just passed away.
“This is a true loss for millions of people.
“There has never been anyone like her, and never will.
“In her honor, I am lowering the American flag throughout the United States for a one week period beginning tonight at 6:00PM. Rest in Peace, Dolly!
“The World loves you. President DONALD J. TRUMP”
In a series of online posts on X, country music star Kacey Musgraves wrote: “Dolly. This really hurts. The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden. So glad she’s with her Carl Dean. No one talk to me today.”
The message included a broken loveheart emoji after Dolly’s name.