Dolly Parton, music legend, Hollywood icon, business mogul, philanthropist, Tennessean and American original, died peacefully on Aug. 25 in Nashville, Tennessee. She was 80 years old.
Remembrances have poured in from across the world after Parton’s nephew, Bryan Seaver, delivered the announcement in a social media video.
Seaver did not announce a cause of death, although Parton had previously suffered with health issues.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” Seaver said.
“As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”
“It is an honor. An honor that
is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness,” he said. “But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light, and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents, and countless others who have watched her and longed for her to meet them in the heavens.”
Here are some of the messages from stars and institutions in the wake of Parton's passing.
Reba McEntire
Country music icon Reba McEntire is remembering her friend and fellow country legend.
In an Instagram post, McEntire shared a carousel of photos of her and Parton.
“Well, I just got the news that my buddy Dolly passed onto the higher and greater side," she wrote. "Dolly, thank you for all the wonderful things you did for us here on earth. Your love, your music and you gave so much with your huge huge heart. There will never ever be another you.”
McEntire continued with a heartfelt message to the late legend.
“We will remember and cherish every memory and every note you ever played and sang. Thank you, Lord, for Dolly. She’s gonna have a blast in heaven singing all her favorite songs with all her family and friends who have gone on before her,” she wrote. “I’ll never forget the first time I met you and I’ll never forget our last conversation. I hold it with love in my heart.”
The two women have worked closely, collaborating and performing together throughout the years.
McEntire signed off saying, “I will always love you.”
Well, I just got the news that my buddy Dolly passed onto the higher and greater side.
— Reba McEntire (@reba) August 25, 2026
Dolly, thank you for all the wonderful things you did for us here on earth.
Your love, your music and you gave so much with your huge huge heart.
There will never ever be another you.
We… pic.twitter.com/qpbvKUNbiM
The Country Music Hall of Fame
"Dolly Parton’s legacy is not celebrity, but humanity," said Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
"She was a champion of equality and literacy. She was a picture of dignity, even when dressed outrageously. Anyone who seeks to be more like Dolly is on the right track, but they’ll never get to the finish line... She came from poverty to become the most important native of Tennessee. She shared her fortunes for the good of all of us, and shared her soul in every note she sang."
Trace Adkins
Country legend Trace Adkins posted on X.
"It is indeed rare for the world, collectively, to express sorrow for someone’s passing," he said. "I knew her to be the angel that they think she was, and I’ll miss her. Dolly, I’ll always love you. -Trace"
Kacey Musgraves
On X, country singer Kacey Musgraves simply said: "The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden."
The Muppets
"There will never be another quite like Dolly Parton," the famous puppet group The Muppets said in a statement, having collaborated with Parton several times in the past.
"She was the ultimate singer, songwriter, actress, performer, and philanthropist. She filled the world with light and we are so grateful for every second we got to spend with her onstage and off."
George Jones' team
Late country music legend George Jones' team posted on Facebook.
Alongside a picture of Jones with Parton, the caption says, "We hope you’re rockin’ together."
The Jackson Family
The Jacksons are paying tribute to the country music legend following her death.
The Jackson family's Instagram account shared a heartfelt post on Tuesday.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of the incomparable Dolly Parton. Dolly was a true trailblazer. Through her extraordinary talent, kindness and generosity, she opened doors and inspired generations around the world,” the family wrote. “We share this special memory from 1977, when we had the honor of meeting Dolly in England on the same day we also met Queen Elizabeth II.”
The account also shared photos of Parton and the Jackson family, who were originally called The Jackson 5 and consisted of brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael Jackson.
“Thank you, Dolly, for the music, the joy and the light you shared with us all. May you rest peacefully in the loving arms of the Lord, reunited with your husband Carl and the many loved ones who made their journey to Heaven before you,” the family added.
Red Clay Strays
Country rockers the Red Clay Strays posted on Instagram.
"We have a bridge back home that you cross on I-65 right before you get into Mobile, nicknamed the 'Dolly Parton' bridge," they said.
"Dolly always reminded us of gettin’ home after a long run. She went home today; one of the most influential writers and performers of our time. RIP Dolly."
Per a statement from Parton's team, at Dolly's request, a private service will be held for immediate family.
Parton is preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Carl Thomas Dean (1942–2025), her mother Avie Lee Caroline Owens (1923–2003), and father, Robert Lee Parton, Sr. (1921–2000).
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at www.imaginationlibrary.com.
This story is developing and we'll continue to update it statements as they come in.
Contributing: Keith Sharon
Audrey Gibbs is a music journalist at The Tennessean. You can reach her at agibbs@tennessean.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Dolly Parton dies at 80, and stars across the world react
