Reba McEntire, Lily Tomlin, Taylor Swift, Donald Trump and more pay tribute to Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton’s death at the age of 80 has prompted an outpouring of tributes from stars across music and Hollywood. Parton, the legendary country singer and actress, died on August 25, according to a statement from her family. Representatives said she had been privately battling cancer.
Known for hits such as “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You”, Parton also built a lasting legacy through her work in film and philanthropy.
Her longtime friend and collaborator Reba McEntire shared an emotional tribute on Instagram.
“Dolly, thank you for all the wonderful things you did for us here on earth,” McEntire wrote. “Your love, your music and you gave so much with your huge huge heart. There will never ever be another you.”
Parton’s “9 to 5” co-star Lily Tomlin also paid tribute to the singer. She shared a photograph of the two together with the caption, “No words.” On X, Tomlin described Parton as a “Friend. Songwriter. The Great Harmonizer of Humanity.”
Jane Fonda, who starred alongside Parton in “9 to 5”, said she was “devastated” by the news. “I never knew anyone like her,” Fonda wrote. She described Parton as “the voluptuous embodiment of empathy” and praised her kindness, humour and generosity.
US President Donald Trump also mourned Parton’s death. He described her as “one of the greatest Country singers” and said her death was “a true loss for millions of people”.
Taylor Swift also paid tribute to the country icon in a statement to USA Today. “She was truly the gift that kept on giving,” Swift said. “Dolly gave us someone to look up to while encouraging us to be who we are as individuals.”
Swift also praised Parton’s music, philanthropy and influence on young women. “She possessed the softest heart when it came to the struggles of others, and a backbone of steel to defend her own self-worth as an artist,” Swift said.
Parton’s “Steel Magnolias” co-stars Sally Field, Julia Roberts and Shirley MacLaine also remembered her. “There will never be another,” Field wrote. “I adored her with all my heart and will always cherish our time together.”
Roberts described Parton as a “magical and joyous human”, while MacLaine said, “God sent her to us, and she has returned home.”
Country singer Linda Ronstadt, who recorded the album “Trio” with Parton and Emmylou Harris, said she was “deeply saddened” by her friend’s death. “The world is a poorer place without her,” Ronstadt said.
Paul McCartney also remembered Parton as a “magnificent star”. He recalled meeting her in Nashville and praised her songwriting, singing and philanthropy. “There was no greater honour for me than to have her sing my song ‘Let It Be’,” McCartney wrote.
Mick Jagger called Parton a “wonderful songwriter and singer”, adding, “She brought so many people together, we will all miss her so much.”
Kacey Musgraves also paid tribute to the singer, saying, “So glad she’s with her Carl Dean.” Parton’s husband, Carl Dean, died in 2025.
Other stars, including Keke Palmer, Maren Morris, Blake Shelton, Barbra Streisand, Kelly Clarkson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Carol Burnett, Sarah Jessica Parker and Goldie Hawn, also shared tributes.
Parker, who never met Parton, wrote, “I don’t think any of us had to know her to love her. One of the greatest this country ever produced. Legend. For real.”
Parton’s legacy also extends beyond music and film. Through her Imagination Library, she supported childhood literacy by providing books to children. She also contributed $1 million towards COVID-19 vaccine research and supported families affected by the 2016 Tennessee wildfires through the My People Fund.
As tributes continue to pour in, Parton is being remembered not only as a country music legend but also as an actress, songwriter, philanthropist and cultural icon whose influence reached generations around the world.
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