The Empire State Building was illuminated in pink Tuesday night to honor country music icon Dolly Parton, who died at age 80, creating a striking tribute on the New York City skyline.
Dolly Parton dies at 80
Parton's family announced Tuesday that the singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist died peacefully in Nashville. No cause of death was disclosed.
Over a career that spanned nearly six decades, Parton became one of America's most beloved entertainers, selling more than 100 million records and earning 11 Grammy Awards. Her signature hits included "Jolene," "9 to 5," "Coat of Many Colors" and "I Will Always Love You."
Her influence extended beyond country music as she built a successful career in film, television and business while cultivating a fan base that
crossed generations and genres.
Parton's Broadway legacy in New York
For New Yorkers, Parton's legacy also reached Broadway. She received a Tony Award nomination for writing the score for 9 to 5: The Musical, which opened on Broadway in 2009.
More recently, Parton announced plans for DOLLY: A True Original Musical, based on her life story. The production is scheduled to begin preview performances Dec. 7 at the St. James Theatre in Manhattan, with opening night planned for Jan. 19, 2027, what would have been her 81st birthday.
The musical features some of Parton's most recognizable songs along with new music written specifically for the production.
A lasting philanthropic impact
Beyond entertainment, Parton was widely celebrated for her charitable work.
She donated $1 million to vaccine research at Vanderbilt University in 2020, becoming an early supporter of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine development. She was also known for initiatives promoting literacy and education for children.
See the photos
View images of the Empire State Building glowing pink in tribute to Parton.
Contributing: USA TODAY Network and Reuters
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Empire State Building lights up pink in tribute to Dolly Parton after her death
