A nationwide television audience will again celebrate Dolly Parton's life and legacy the night of Wednesday, Oct. 21 when a star-studded tribute special airs on ABC and Disney+, continuing the public remembrance that has followed the Tennessee icon's death earlier this year. The program promises an evening focused on Parton's music, philanthropy and influence on generations of artists.
"CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton," will air live from Belmont University's Fisher Center for the Performing Arts and comes roughly two months after Parton's death on Aug. 25 at age 80.
While millions knew Parton as a country music superstar and businesswoman, some of her final days were spent far from the spotlight in Nashville.
Family members confirmed that Parton received care at Vanderbilt University Medical Center's Ingram Cancer Center, one of the nation's leading cancer treatment facilities.
Physicians, nurses and other caregivers at the Nashville hospital helped care for Parton during the final chapter of her life, offering treatment and support before her death in August. Her connection to Vanderbilt added another Nashville chapter to a life that was deeply intertwined with Tennessee, from her East Tennessee roots to her decades as one of the state's most recognizable ambassadors.
The televised tribute is expected to revisit not only Parton's extensive catalog of hits but also the charitable work that became a hallmark of her career. Through initiatives such as the Imagination Library, Parton built a legacy that extended well beyond entertainment and touched families around the world.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Dolly Parton tribute airs as fans remember final days at Vanderbilt hospital
