Dolly Parton, an icon of many colors, from the "Queen of Country Music" to Dollywood's Dreamer-in-Chief to the beloved "Book Lady," has died at age 80.
Memories have poured in from around the world for a woman whose philanthropic reach and inspirational spirit knew no bounds.
Dollywood President Eugene Naughton confirmed to Knox News the star died Aug. 25 after recent health concerns prevented Parton from attending Dollywood events and delayed her planned Las Vegas residency.
Earlier this month, Parton was absent from Dollywood for the unveiling of the park's new NightFlight Expedition coaster. Instead, she welcomed guests by video, explaining that health issues had kept her from traveling.
"My little butterfly wings are getting tired," she said
in her message. "Now, I'm dehydrated. And so, my personal doctor has kind of clipped my wings saying, 'You ain't traveling this week.'"
Even while absent, Parton's warmth and humor remained on display as she assured fans that "all is going well on the medical end of things."
President Donald Trump orders flags to be lowered
President Donald Trump ordered flags to be lowered across the country shortly after news of Parton's death broke.
"This is a true loss for millions of people," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "There has never been anyone like her, and never will... Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you."
Tributes pour in from Tennessee and around the globe
Country star Kacey Musgraves, often compared to Parton for her distinctive voice, wit and fiercely individual style, was among the first to react on social media.
"The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden," she wrote in a subsequent post, followed by another: "So glad she's with her Carl Dean. No one talk to me today."
Dean, Parton's famously private husband of nearly 60 years and the inspiration for several of her songs, died in March at age 82.
CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins echoed the sentiment felt by many mourning Parton's death as she shared the announcement from the singer's X account.
"Damn. RIP Dolly," Collins posted to X. "What a singular force she was."
Dollywood closure was already planned prior to Parton's death
Parton's death came on a day Dollywood was already scheduled to be closed. The park's 2026 calendar listed Aug. 25 and Aug. 27 as dark days during a late-summer period that typically sees lighter attendance after students return to school.
It was not immediately clear whether Dollywood's operating schedule would change following the news. Before Parton's death was announced Aug. 25, the park had already said its new NightFlight Expedition coaster would be closed through Aug. 30 for additional fine-tuning.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: World mourns the death of Tennessee icon Dolly Parton: Live updates
