Stars from across the music world are remembering the late country legend, Dolly Parton.
The 80-year-old singer-songwriter’s death was announced yesterday (August 25), leaving behind a legacy that spans decades and has touched millions worldwide.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced the news, describing it as “an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness” and saying that “she lived in the light.”
Music legends pay tribute to the late Dolly Parton
Taylor Swift described Parton as “true grace and true grit, all in one dazzling person.”
She said: “A world without Dolly doesn’t feel possible, real, or right.
“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 was truly the gift that kept on giving.
“Dolly gave us someone to look up to while encouraging us to be who we are as individuals.
“Somehow she was able to give us her lessons about the world 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.
Elton John, Priscilla Presley and more pay tribute to Dolly Parton after death aged 80
“Along with her other fans, I am so grateful for all of it.
“For the melodies and lyrics she wrote that thawed even the coldest hearts.
“For the millions of books she provided children all over the world so that they might fall in love with stories the way she did.
“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.”
Another country icon, Shania Twain, called her “pure light sent from heaven.”
She said: “My mentor is gone.
“My songwriting teacher and hero of grace and humility.
“There is a hole in my heart but the joy of just the thought of her smile will continue to fill me with inspiration for as long as I live.”
Dolly was pure light sent from heaven. My mentor is gone. My songwriting teacher and hero of grace and humility. There is a hole in my heart but the joy of just the thought of her smile will continue to fill me with inspiration for as long as I live. I will cherish this moment… pic.twitter.com/x2noNjLgou
— Shania Twain 💎💎💎 (@ShaniaTwain) August 25, 2026
Beyoncé, who collaborated with Parton on her 2024 album Cowboy Carter, called her “the barometer”, labelling her “bold and brilliant” as well as “talented and tenacious.”
She said: “You taught so many lessons on how to be uniquely oneself.
“I am grateful for your art, your heart, your generosity, your humor, your entrepreneurship.”
Sir Paul McCartney described Parton as a “magnificent star” and a “wonderful woman,” recalling their meeting at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
He said: “Her songwriting, her singing and her philanthropy were unrivalled in the world of country music and it is hard to imagine living in a world without Dolly.”
Billy Ray Cyrus, a longtime friend and collaborator, shared personal memories of the country icon.
He said: “I have so many moments and memories with Dolly, it’s hard to know where to start.
“Like every little boy, I grew up loving Dolly Parton.
“She was a part of our lives, on our TVs, right in our living rooms.”
He recounted a humorous exchange from early in his career.
Mr Cyrus said: “In 1992, I’ll never forget walking into her dressing room to apologise for all the tabloid stories which claimed I was having an affair with her.
“In true Dolly fashion, she just looked at me, winked and said, ‘Honey, this trash sells records.'”
Dolly Parton was the godmother to his daughter, Miley Cyrus.
The singer added: “Dolly recently sent me a beautiful message, telling me she loved me with her whole heart.
“I will always love her in the same way … with my whole heart … and I always will.”
Pop star Sabrina Carpenter, who featured Parton on the deluxe version of her song Please Please Please, said she would “cherish our laughter and conversations.”
She said: “I will keep your wisdom, your playful outlook on life, and perfect sense of humour in my pocket for the rainy days.”
Rapper Eminem, who was inducted alongside Parton into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, shared that she wrote him a heartfelt letter.
He said: “I’m sorry we never got a chance to meet, but getting this note from Dolly really had an impact on me.
“She definitely didn’t have to take the time to do it.
“Even for a kid who mostly listened to rap music, she was an icon.
“A superstar in every sense.
“Rest easy Dolly.
“And thank you for the kind words.”
Billy Joel wrote on Instagram: “Dolly Parton has transcended time and become one of those iconic artists who is known for just being Dolly, beyond a specific song or moment in time.”
Fellow singing icon Sir Elton John said he was “shocked and devastated” by her passing, calling her “a giant of an artist – unique and irreplaceable, with the kindest heart.”
Celine Dion praised her “kind heart and a generous spirit,” while Sir Tom Jones said her death had left “a great emptiness.”
Sir Mick Jagger said Parton “brought so many people together,” and Sting described her as “a stellar talent and a genuinely unique and wonderful woman.”
Credit: newsshopper.co.uk
The 80-year-old singer-songwriter’s death was announced yesterday (August 25), leaving behind a legacy that spans decades and has touched millions worldwide.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced the news, describing it as “an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness” and saying that “she lived in the light.”
Music legends pay tribute to the late Dolly Parton
Taylor Swift described Parton as “true grace and true grit, all in one dazzling person.”
She said: “A world without Dolly doesn’t feel possible, real, or right.
“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 was truly the gift that kept on giving.
“Dolly gave us someone to look up to while encouraging us to be who we are as individuals.
“Somehow she was able to give us her lessons about the world 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.
Elton John, Priscilla Presley and more pay tribute to Dolly Parton after death aged 80
“Along with her other fans, I am so grateful for all of it.
“For the melodies and lyrics she wrote that thawed even the coldest hearts.
“For the millions of books she provided children all over the world so that they might fall in love with stories the way she did.
“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.”
Another country icon, Shania Twain, called her “pure light sent from heaven.”
She said: “My mentor is gone.
“My songwriting teacher and hero of grace and humility.
“There is a hole in my heart but the joy of just the thought of her smile will continue to fill me with inspiration for as long as I live.”
Dolly was pure light sent from heaven. My mentor is gone. My songwriting teacher and hero of grace and humility. There is a hole in my heart but the joy of just the thought of her smile will continue to fill me with inspiration for as long as I live. I will cherish this moment… pic.twitter.com/x2noNjLgou
— Shania Twain 💎💎💎 (@ShaniaTwain) August 25, 2026
Beyoncé, who collaborated with Parton on her 2024 album Cowboy Carter, called her “the barometer”, labelling her “bold and brilliant” as well as “talented and tenacious.”
She said: “You taught so many lessons on how to be uniquely oneself.
“I am grateful for your art, your heart, your generosity, your humor, your entrepreneurship.”
Sir Paul McCartney described Parton as a “magnificent star” and a “wonderful woman,” recalling their meeting at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
He said: “Her songwriting, her singing and her philanthropy were unrivalled in the world of country music and it is hard to imagine living in a world without Dolly.”
Billy Ray Cyrus, a longtime friend and collaborator, shared personal memories of the country icon.
He said: “I have so many moments and memories with Dolly, it’s hard to know where to start.
“Like every little boy, I grew up loving Dolly Parton.
“She was a part of our lives, on our TVs, right in our living rooms.”
He recounted a humorous exchange from early in his career.
Mr Cyrus said: “In 1992, I’ll never forget walking into her dressing room to apologise for all the tabloid stories which claimed I was having an affair with her.
“In true Dolly fashion, she just looked at me, winked and said, ‘Honey, this trash sells records.'”
Dolly Parton was the godmother to his daughter, Miley Cyrus.
The singer added: “Dolly recently sent me a beautiful message, telling me she loved me with her whole heart.
“I will always love her in the same way … with my whole heart … and I always will.”
Pop star Sabrina Carpenter, who featured Parton on the deluxe version of her song Please Please Please, said she would “cherish our laughter and conversations.”
She said: “I will keep your wisdom, your playful outlook on life, and perfect sense of humour in my pocket for the rainy days.”
Rapper Eminem, who was inducted alongside Parton into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, shared that she wrote him a heartfelt letter.
He said: “I’m sorry we never got a chance to meet, but getting this note from Dolly really had an impact on me.
“She definitely didn’t have to take the time to do it.
“Even for a kid who mostly listened to rap music, she was an icon.
“A superstar in every sense.
“Rest easy Dolly.
“And thank you for the kind words.”
Billy Joel wrote on Instagram: “Dolly Parton has transcended time and become one of those iconic artists who is known for just being Dolly, beyond a specific song or moment in time.”
Fellow singing icon Sir Elton John said he was “shocked and devastated” by her passing, calling her “a giant of an artist – unique and irreplaceable, with the kindest heart.”
Celine Dion praised her “kind heart and a generous spirit,” while Sir Tom Jones said her death had left “a great emptiness.”
Sir Mick Jagger said Parton “brought so many people together,” and Sting described her as “a stellar talent and a genuinely unique and wonderful woman.”
Credit: newsshopper.co.uk
