Dolly Parton died Tuesday, at age 80 in Nashville; her nephew Bryan Seaver announced it in a video on her social media accounts, noting she passed peacefully (no specific cause was publicly detailed at the time, though she had faced health issues in recent years).
Fellow artists and celebrities quickly shared tributes emphasizing her unique talent, kindness, songwriting, philanthropy, and larger-than-life spirit.
Key reactions from the artists and others include:
Other notable artist reactions included:
- Reba McEntire (longtime friend and collaborator): Posted a heartfelt Instagram message with photos spanning their decades-long friendship. She called Parton her “buddy,” thanked her for everything she did on earth with her “huge huge heart,” and said there “will never ever be another you.” McEntire added that Parton would “have a blast in heaven singing all her favorite songs with all her family and friends who have gone on before her,” recalled their first meeting and last conversation, and closed with “I will always love you.”
- Taylor Swift never recorded a song qith Dolly, but openly shared a mutual admiration. Now, Swift is sharing her heartfelt appreciation for Parton thanking her for “the melodies and lyrics she wrote that thawed even the coldest hearts.” Swift praised Parton for her songwriting and also for her philanthropy and just general Dolly-ness.
- Paul McCartney: Shared a black-and-white photo on Instagram of himself meeting Parton (and Porter Wagoner) at the Grand Ole Opry. He described her as “such a wonderful woman” who was “so bubbly and full of life,” making the news hard to accept. He praised her “unrivaled” songwriting, singing, and philanthropy in country music and said it was “hard to imagine living in a world without Dolly,” ending with thanks for the beautiful music and “We will always love you.”
- Elton John: Posted on his Instagram Story that he was “shocked and devastated,” calling her “a giant of an artist — unique and irreplaceable, with the kindest heart.”
- George Strait: Wrote on Instagram Story (or X) that she “had such a huge impact on so many people all over the world,” adding “We will all miss you” and “May God bless the Parton family.”
- Mick Jagger: “What a wonderful songwriter and singer Dolly was. She brought so many people together, we will all miss her so much.”
- Kacey Musgraves: Posted that it “really hurts” and “the world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden,” also noting she was glad Parton was reunited with her late husband Carl Dean.
- Dionne Warwick: Shared a photo and said she would miss Parton’s “laughter, jokes and her being,” calling her a “true child of God” now in the best hands.
- Linda Ronstadt (Trio collaborator): Expressed deep sadness over the loss of her friend and called recording with her one of the most extraordinary musical experiences of her life; “The world is a poorer place without her.”
Overall, the responses portrayed Parton as a singular, compassionate force whose music and spirit transcended genres and generations, with many echoing the sentiment of her classic song: “We will always love you.”