Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Dolly Parton, whose voice carried the hills of Tennessee into living rooms across the world, died peacefully in Nashville, United States of America (U.S.), her family announced yesterday.
She was 80.
Her nephew and former head of security, Bryan Seaver, announced her passing in a family video statement. ‘I am representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my Aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean,’ Seaver said, adding that she was ‘sister, sis and Aunt Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next.’
Seaver, son of Parton’s sister Cassie, said he had held the role of head of security for more than two decades, a post his father Larry occupied before him. ‘I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now. It is an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly,’ he added.
Parton’s death came as Nigerians continue to mourn veteran actor and film producer, Taiwo Babatunde Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, deepening a week already heavy with tribute across the entertainment world.
The country music icon had missed her own 80th birthday celebrations on January 19 owing to ongoing health struggles. In a video message ahead of the event, she confirmed she would not be able to attend, adding that the celebration meant a great deal to her all the same.
Across a seven-decade career, Parton wrote and performed timeless hits including ‘Coat of Many Colours,’ ‘Jolene,’ ‘9 to 5’ and ‘I Will Always Love You,’ songs that turned heartbreak, hope and hillbilly pride into gold records and household names.
Her legacy stretches far beyond the stage: 11 Grammy, an Emmy, a honorary Oscar, the rhinestone-studded mind behind the Dollywood theme park, and more than 300 million free books sent to millions of children around the world through her Imagination Library.
Parton was proof that a girl from a one-room Smoky Mountains cabin could go on to build an empire of generosity.
Tributes have poured in from across the world with U.S. President, Donald J. Trump, ordering the national flag to be flown at half mast for one week.
In a post on his Truth Social account shared on X by the White House, Trump said: ‘?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.’
Former President, Bill Clinton, described Parton as ‘one of a kind-a great songwriter and performer who told the stories of everyday Americans with honesty, humility, and heart.’
Clinton said she rose high from her East Tennessee roots and never forgot where she came from.
‘And she always believed in giving back, especially in her efforts to promote literacy. Hillary and I were big fans and first saw her in 1974, and will always be grateful for the music and the memories. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, her legion of fans, and everyone who loved her,’ he wrote.
A former U.S. Vice President, Kamala Harris, said Parton was a true American icon, who was first introduced to the world as a ‘little girl from up in East Tennessee,’ and she became a global superstar.
‘All at once she was kind, modest, and funny. With her music, her philanthropy, and her style, Dolly was one of one.
‘Doug and I send our prayers to her family, friends, and all those who have been touched by her magic. We will always love you, Dolly,’ Harris added.
The Empire State tower, the second tallest building in the world, turned its lights to pink sparkle at 9:25pm to honor the late Parton.
According to its management, ‘Dolly was a global cultural icon whose seven-decade career reached generations of fans… At Nine-Two-Five tonight, we celebrate her and her legacy.’
Governor of the State of California, Gavin Newsom, said Parton was larger than life, describing her as a phenomenal talent, prolific singer-songwriter, who despite be coming the best-selling female country music of all time, never forgot her roots.
‘She cared deeply about early literacy and spreading a love of reading to millions of children around the world, including tens of thousands right here in California.
‘The world will be less sparkly without Dolly, but the joy she brought us and the stories she shared will shine on for generations,’ said Newsom.
The Guinness World Records also mourned the country music queen, reminiscing on their meeting with her last year.
‘We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Guinness World Records ICON Dolly Parton. We were honoured to present her certificates to her in person last year to celebrate her enormous contributions to the music industry.
‘Not only a beloved performer and lyricist, we also celebrate her commitment to philanthropy through the Dollywood Foundation amongst many other causes,’ it wrote.
Country singer and longtime collaborator, Reba McEntire, wrote that she had just received news of her friend’s passing, thanking Parton for her love, her music and her enormous heart.
She said there would never be another Dolly and that she would always love her.
Lily Tomlin, Parton’s co-star in ‘9 to 5,’ shared a heartbeeak photo captioned simply, ‘No words.’ Carole King said her heart was breaking, adding that Parton had been an exemplary human being alongside her musical gifts. Musician Jack White paid tribute with an old photograph of Parton, describing her passing as ‘instant sainthood.’
Hollywood star, Morgan Freeman, also took to his verified X account to mourn Parton, highlighting the values she stood for.
Freeman wrote: ‘Dolly Parton never wanted us fighting over whether she was red or blue. She wanted us to all be Americans.
‘And she showed us what she believed in: Kids should have books. People struggling deserve help. Everyone deserves dignity.
Success means giving something back. And kindness doesn’t require a party affiliation.
‘Maybe the best way to honor Dolly (is) to build a country that looks a little more like the one she spent her life trying to create: Kinder. More generous. Less judgmental. And looking out for one another.
‘That feels like a pretty damn good direction for tomorrow. Rest in peace, Dolly’
In Nigeria, Executive Commissioner (Operations), Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Louis Odion, also reacted to the news, describing Parton as a songbird of extraordinary talent whose ‘Coat of Many Colours’ turned a simple ballad into a gold standard for measuring love, hope, faith and integrity.