NASHVILLE, United States — Musicians, actors and political leaders around the world paid tribute to Dolly Parton after her death in Nashville on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. She was 80.
Sir Paul McCartney, Oprah Winfrey and Sir Elton John were among those remembering the country music star for her songwriting, generosity and personal warmth.
Parton’s death followed health problems that had led her to cancel a planned Las Vegas residency earlier in the year.
The tributes reflected an influence that extended beyond country music to pop, rock, rap, film, television, philanthropy and politics.
McCartney, Winfrey and John Remember Parton
In an Instagram tribute, McCartney recalled meeting Parton at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville before she began her solo career.
“She was so bubbly and full of life, it is difficult to take in the news that she has passed,” he wrote.
McCartney described her as a “magnificent star” and said her songwriting, singing and philanthropy were unrivalled in country music.
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John said in a message posted through Instagram Stories that he was “shocked and devastated”. He called Parton “a giant of an artist” who was “unique and irreplaceable, with the kindest heart”.
The two performed together at the Country Music Association Awards in 2005.
Winfrey shared footage and photographs from one of their television appearances in an Instagram post. She recalled appearing with Parton in Bob Mackie gowns on the variety programme Dolly.
“This girl from the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee dreamed a life and then lived a life bigger than she could have ever imagined,” Winfrey wrote.
She said Parton had given generously to others in both visible and private ways.
“No one like her,” Winfrey added. “She brought the light, and we are all better because she was here.”
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Taylor Swift, who began her career in country music as a teenager, described Parton as “true grace and true grit, all in one dazzling person” in a statement supplied directly to the BBC.
Swift said Parton’s legacy included not only her songs but the millions of books distributed to children through her literacy programme.
She also thanked Parton “for the tightropes she walked so that young girls like me could grow up dreaming of joining the circus too”.
Beyoncé, who recorded a new interpretation of “Jolene” for her 2024 album Cowboy Carter, described Parton as “the barometer” and “the North Star” in a statement published on her official website.
She praised Parton’s artistic work, humour, generosity and business achievements and expressed gratitude for having worked with her.
Tributes Cross Generations and Genres
Sabrina Carpenter shared photographs taken during her 2025 collaboration with Parton on a country-influenced version of “Please Please Please”.
“The only thing I could say after we first met was ‘she really is an angel walking the earth’,” Carpenter wrote in her Instagram tribute.
“Your light will be something the world will search forever to find again.”
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Parton was also the godmother of Miley Cyrus. They recorded a new version of Cyrus’s song “Wrecking Ball” and appeared together on several episodes of Hannah Montana.
Miley Cyrus’s father, Billy Ray Cyrus, recalled Parton’s presence in his family’s life and her longstanding friendship with him.
In an Instagram post, he described growing up watching Parton on television and recounted once apologising to her over tabloid reports alleging an affair between them.
According to his account, Parton responded: “Honey, this trash sells records!”
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Reba McEntire thanked Parton for her music, love and charitable work in an Instagram post accompanied by photographs from their friendship and collaborations.
“There will never ever be another you,” McEntire wrote. “We will remember and cherish every memory and every note you ever played and sang.”
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Rapper Eminem shared a photograph of a letter Parton had sent to congratulate him on his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The two never met, but Eminem said the message had affected him deeply.
“Even for a kid who mostly listened to rap music, she was an icon,” he wrote on Instagram. “A superstar in every sense.”
Rock and Country Musicians Share Memories
Melissa Etheridge said “words fail me today” in an Instagram tribute. She said she would try to live with the joy and love that Parton demonstrated.
Sir Rod Stewart said he was “absolutely floored” by the news in an Instagram post.
Mick Jagger described Parton as a “wonderful songwriter and singer” who brought people together. “We will all miss her so much,” he wrote on Instagram.
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Cyndi Lauper said she had often asked herself, “What would Dolly do?” In her Instagram message, Lauper described Parton as a role model whose art, influence and money had been used to help others.
Gloria Estefan said Parton’s musical accomplishments formed only part of her legacy.
“She was a force of nature whose enormous talent was matched by an even bigger heart,” Estefan wrote on Instagram.
Kacey Musgraves wrote on X that the loss “really hurts”. In a second post, she said the world felt “a lot less sparkly”.
Keith Urban said he was heartbroken and had no words, while Blake Shelton remembered working with Parton on The Voice.
Shelton said in an Instagram tribute that Parton was exactly the person her admirers believed her to be: loving, caring and familiar.
Political and Entertainment Figures Pay Tribute
President Donald Trump described Parton’s death as “a true loss for millions of people” and ordered American flags lowered in her memory.
“There has never been anyone like her, and never will,” Trump said. The White House confirmed on X that flags had been lowered to half-staff.
“Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you.” – President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/ZPf8IzybNe
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 25, 2026
Former President Bill Clinton called Parton “one of a kind” in a message on X.
Dolly Parton was one of a kind—a great songwriter and performer who told the stories of everyday Americans with honesty, humility, and heart. She rose high from her East Tennessee roots and never forgot where she came from. And she always believed in giving back, especially in…
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) August 25, 2026
Clinton said he and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, first watched Parton perform in 1974. He praised her for telling the stories of ordinary Americans and supporting literacy programmes while remaining connected to her origins.
Parton’s film and television colleagues also shared memories.
Seth MacFarlane, who worked with her when she appeared on The Orville, said her kindness and authenticity were immediately apparent. “The world is a dimmer place today without her,” he wrote on X.
Jamie Lee Curtis described Parton as a hero and “a great example for us all” in an Instagram tribute.
Priscilla Presley recalled that Elvis Presley sang “I Will Always Love You” to her as they left the courthouse following their divorce. She said Parton’s music, humour and warmth made her distinctive.
Keke Palmer, who starred with Parton in the 2012 musical film Joyful Noise, said she was devastated. Fashion designer Donatella Versace remembered her as a generous person, storyteller and music legend.
Dionne Warwick said she would miss Parton’s laughter, jokes and company, while actress and singer Melissa Etheridge pledged to carry forward the joy she associated with her.
The range of responses — from country singers and pop stars to rappers, actors and presidents — reflected the breadth of Parton’s career and the humanitarian work for which she was also known.
