Texas leaders are paying tribute to country music icon Dolly Parton following her death.
Parton died Aug. 25 at age 80 after a brief battle with cancer, according to USA TODAY. She had been hospitalized at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville since Aug. 21. Her representatives did not disclose what type of cancer she had.
Although Parton was a Tennessee native, Texas leaders remembered her as a beloved music legend and a friend to the Lone Star State.
Here's what they are saying.
Gov. Greg Abbott
Gov. Greg Abbott wrote that Texas would be lowering flags in her honor.
"Sad to lose this legend," Abbott wrote in a Aug. 25 X post. "God Bless Dolly."
So sad to lose this legend.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) August 25, 2026
Texas will lower our flags in her honor.
God Bless Dolly. https://t.co/tUNlvsa4oR
Ken Paxton
Paxton
reflected on Parton's upbringing and her faith in God.
"Dolly Parton grew up one of twelve kids in a two-room cabin and never forgot where she came from. She loved this country and loved the Lord, who today welcomes her with open arms. The world has lost a legend and Texas has lost a dear friend," he posted on X.
Dolly Parton grew up one of twelve kids in a two-room cabin and never forgot where she came from. She loved this country and loved the Lord, who today welcomes her with open arms. The world has lost a legend and Texas has lost a dear friend. https://t.co/W3e4XMpfFn
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) August 25, 2026
Ted Cruz
Sen. Ted Cruz simply wrote "legend" along with a video of Parton appearing on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson."
Legend.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) August 26, 2026
😢❤️🙏 https://t.co/pYNt0BNOaz
James Talarico
State Rep. James Talarico called Parton an "American treasure."
"Dolly Parton was the best of us," he wrote. "She was an American treasure — a rare embodiment of talent, kindness, and generosity in equal measure. We’ll always love you, Dolly."
Dolly Parton was the best of us.
— James Talarico (@jamestalarico) August 25, 2026
She was an American treasure — a rare embodiment of talent, kindness, and generosity in equal measure.
We’ll always love you, Dolly. pic.twitter.com/j7Sg2n8TIU
Dolly Parton cause of death
Parton had been battling cancer before her death at age 80, according to USA TODAY. She died at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville after being hospitalized there on Aug. 21.
Parton had spoken about dealing with health challenges since 2025, when said she was doing "OK" but had "some problems" to deal with and was undergoing "a few treatments." In May, as she canceled all of her Las Vegas shows, she said she was "responding really well to meds and treatments" and "improving every day" but wasn't performance-ready yet.
In a statement, Parton’s representatives reflected on her legacy and shared additional details about her final days:
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand. Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly's unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.”
What kind of cancer did Dolly die from?
Parton's representatives did not disclose what type of cancer she had.
USA TODAY contributed to this story.
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: 'Legend': Texas leaders react to Dolly Parton death
