Country singer Dolly Parton arrives for the 2022 Academy of Country Music Awards at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev. Friends and fans paid tribute to Parton, whose death at age 80 was announced Tuesday. File Photo by James Atoa/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 25 (UPI) — As word of country music icon Dolly Parton‘s death spread Tuesday, many people offered tributes and memories of the star, who was beloved as a musician, actress and philanthropist.
“Well, I just got the news that my buddy Dolly passed onto the higher and greater side,” country musician Reba McEntire posted on social media Tuesday afternoon. “Dolly, thank you for all the wonderful things you did for us here on earth. Your love, your music, and you gave so much with your huge, huge heart. There will never be another you.
“I’ll never forget the first time I met you, and I’ll never forget our last conversation,” McEntire continued. “I hold it with love in my heart.”
Parton’s family announced her death at age 80 Tuesday. Parton, who had dealt with health problems including kidney-stone-related infections recently, had a career that spanned more than six decades. She’d earned 11 Grammy Awards, three Emmy Awards, an honorary Oscar and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Singer and songwriter Kacey Musgraves posted simply, “The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden.”
Actress Sally Field, who starred in Steel Magnolias alongside Parton, posted on Instagram that, “If there are truly angels on earth, then we have just lost one.”
“Dolly Parton,” she wrote. “There will never be another. I adored her with all my heart and will always cherish our time together.”
Actress and musician Miley Cyrus, who is Parton’s goddaughter, posted several tributes in Parton’s honor. The two appeared together on Disney‘s Hannah Montana TV series and shared stages many times throughout the years, collaborating on a duet version of Cyrus’ song “Wrecking Ball” for Parton’s album Rockstar in 2023.
“RIP, Dolly, you transcended time and you live in the hearts of entire generations,” Cyrus wrote.
Miley Cyrus’ father, country musician Billy Ray Cyrus, said in a social media post that Parton recently sent him a “beautiful message, telling me she loved me with her whole heart.”
“In 1992, I’ll never forget walking into her dressing room to apologize for all the tabloid stories which claimed I was having an affair with her,” Cyrus wrote. “In true Dolly fashion, she just looked at me, winked and said, ‘Honey, this trash sells records!'”
In a tribute posted on her website, musical superstar Beyoncé said Parton was “the barometer. The North Star. Bold and brilliant. Talented and tenacious.”
“You took so many lessons on how to be uniquely oneself,” Beyoncé wrote. “I am grateful for your art, your heart, your generosity, your humor, your entrepreneurship. I’m honored that I had the privilege to work with you. I will treasure that forever.”
The Grand Ole Opry called Parton “a true country music icon.”
“She taught us to always lead with kindness, generosity and compassion,” representatives from the Opry posted on social media. “May her legacy live on through her songs, the lives she touched and the countless artists she inspired. There will never, ever be another one like her.”
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he was ordering flags lowered to half-staff throughout the week in Parton’s honor.
Officials announced the Empire State Building will be turned to pink sparkles Tuesday in honor of Parton, calling her “a global cultural icon whose seven-decade career reached generations of fans.”
