President Donald Trump said he ordered U.S. flags lowered in honor of country music icon Dolly Parton, who died Tuesday at age 80.
Trump announced the order in a Truth Social post shortly after Parton's death was announced. He said flags across the country would be lowered for one week beginning at 6 p.m. ET on Aug. 25.
"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," Trump wrote. "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."
Dolly Parton's death announced by family
Parton's death was announced
in a video message from her nephew, Bryan Seaver, posted to her social media pages.
"Dolly has lived in the light, and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by (her husband) Carl, her parents, and countless others who have watched her and longed for her to meet them in the heavens," Seaver said in the video.
No cause of death was disclosed. Parton's publicist said she died peacefully in Nashville.
Concerns about Parton's health had grown in 2025 after she postponed a concert tour because of what she described as "health challenges." Her sister, Frieda Parton, later publicly asked fans to pray for her.
From rural Tennessee to country music stardom
Parton rose from a poor upbringing in rural Tennessee to become one of the most successful and recognizable entertainers in American history.
Over a career spanning nearly six decades, she sold more than 100 million records and won 11 Grammy Awards. Her enduring hits included "Jolene," "9 to 5," "Coat of Many Colors" and "I Will Always Love You."
Her career extended far beyond music. Parton became a film and television star, businesswoman and philanthropist while building a fan base that crossed generations and musical genres.
Parton's connection to New York and Broadway
Parton's legacy also included Broadway.
She received a Tony Award nomination for writing the score for "9 to 5: The Musical," which opened on Broadway in 2009.
She also recently announced plans to bring her life story to Broadway. Her autobiographical production, "DOLLY: A True Original Musical," is scheduled to begin preview performances Dec. 7 at the St. James Theatre in New York City.
Opening night is planned for Jan. 19, 2027, which would have been Parton's 81st birthday. The musical features some of her best-known songs, along with new music written for the production.
Dolly Parton's philanthropic legacy
Beyond entertainment, Parton was widely known for her charitable work.
She donated $1 million to vaccine research at Vanderbilt University in 2020, becoming an early supporter of research that contributed to the development of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine.
Contributing: USA Today Network and Reuters
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Why will flags be at half-staff in New York this week? Here's what to know
