The news that broke this afternoon was terribly sad. Music legend and noted philanthropist Dolly Parton has died at 80 years old.

Born in 1946 in rural Sevier County, Tennessee, Parton grew up in a large, poor family in the Smoky Mountains. She began singing in church as a child, started writing songs at a young age and moved to Nashville after graduating high school to pursue music.

Her breakthrough came as a performer on “The Porter Wagoner Show,” where she became a fan favorite before forging a solo path that would establish her as one of country music’s most prolific and influential songwriters.

“I’ll always be a country musician because I’m a country girl,” she told People in 1975. “My style is my soul and my feelings. I’ll tell the world in my songs what I wouldn’t have told my mother.”

Parton’s catalog included enduring hits such as “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” “Here You Come Again,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.” The latter song became a global phenomenon again when Whitney Houston recorded it for 1992’s “The Bodyguard.”

Parton made her feature film debut opposite Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in 1980’s “9 to 5.” Parton later appeared in films including “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” “Rhinestone,” “Steel Magnolias” and “Joyful Noise.”

Dolly Parton had lost her beloved husband Carl Dean just last year, in March 2025. They had been married for nearly 59 years. It should come as no surprise that Dolly’s own health began failing after that, as this is a common occurence after a longtime spouse passes.

In the country music icon’s final interview on Friday, she opened up to People about “dealing with some health issues,” which forced her to cancel an appearance at her Dollywood theme park the previous week.

However, she noted, “It’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health.”

The singer added that her most recent health struggles stemmed from not “pay[ing] attention” while “watching over” her late husband, Carl Thomas Dean.

Dean, notably, died in March 2025 at 82, nearly 59 years into the couple’s ultra-private marriage.

Her People Magazine interview specifically noted her struggle with kidney stones, and the cancellation of her planned Las Vegas performances. It seemed clear that Dolly’s health was on the decline, but she remained optimistic about making a comeback.

At the time, Parton also spoke about the future of her performing career after having recently canceled a Las Vegas residency amid her recovery.

“I hate to cancel anything I’m committed to, but I just couldn’t do the shows at the level I would want them to be, and in the way that I know my fans would expect them to be. I definitely plan to do special performances in the future, but I won’t tour anymore like I used to,” Parton told PEOPLE.

With Dolly so confident about her recovery, the news felt like a shock. Her family announced her passing via video statement.

A message from the family of Dolly Parton. pic.twitter.com/9DNRgRx0uH

— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) August 25, 2026

Tributes began pouring in across social media. It’s hard to think of another celebrity who was so universally beloved as Dolly Parton.

Julia Roberts is remembering her “Steel Magnolias” co-star Dolly Parton.

Roberts tells Page Six in a statement, “Dolly was a magical and joyous human. I hold knowing her as a treasure in my life. The sun has dimmed today.”

(Sally) Field also paid tribute to Parton on Instagram with a heartfelt post.

“If there are truly angels on earth, then we have just lost one. Dolly Parton,” Field wrote alongside a throwback photo of the “Steel Magnolias” cast. “There will never be another. I adored her with all my heart and will always cherish our time together. Forever. Rest in peace beautiful Dolly.”

Heaven has found its voice. Rest in His arms, angel.

#RipDollyParton pic.twitter.com/lXAlIHBw6n

— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) August 25, 2026

I of course admired Dolly's music and business acumen. But she also lived with such obvious gratitude, fueled by faith. She came from nothing, but with no chip on her shoulder. Quite the opposite. You can look through the window of her one-bedroom childhood home on display at…

— Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) August 25, 2026

Perhaps the only thing that unites Americans: we all think Dolly Parton was awesome. RIP. https://t.co/Sf6SmAxTKj

— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) August 25, 2026

Dolly Parton was known for more than just her music and her acting career. She was unashamed of her Tennessee heritage, and a tireless philanthropist who gave back after growing up with nothing.

Parton opened Dollywood theme park in 1986, as both a show of pride in her Appalachian roots and a desire to give back to the community.

“I love the fact that I am able to give something back and provide so many people with jobs where none existed before,” she wrote in her 1994 memoir “Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business.”

The “Jolene” singer set up her Dollywood Foundation in 1988, inspired by her poor upbringing in rural east Tennessee.

As her father was unable to read or write, her charitable work focused heavily on education, literacy, and healthcare, as well as local disaster relief.

Since its inception, the Dollywood Foundation’s signature Imagination Library program has sent more than 270 million free books to kids across the world, according to Time — which named Parton one of the top philanthropists of the past century in a 2025 feature.

In 2016, she created the My People Fund in response to devastating wildfires that ravaged her hometown of Sevier County.

Parton gave $1,000 per month for six months to families who lost their homes in the fires, with relief donations eventually hitting $12.5 million.

In recognition of her decades of generosity, she was awarded the prestigious Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy in 2022.

President Trump is honoring her as well, with a special tribute that only he can give.

Only in America can a success story like Dolly Parton exist, and she paid back her success to the people and the area she loved the best. May she rest in peace.

Featured image: original Victory Girls art by Darleen Click