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Dolly Parton

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Dolly Parton

singer · songwriter · actress · philanthropist

Also known as Queen of Country, queen of Nashville

37 stories · latest Aug 28, 2026 · Music, Celebrity, TV & Film, Viral

Dolly Parton biography

Dolly Parton was an iconic American country singer, songwriter, actress, and philanthropist whose multi-decade career spanned global music stardom, film roles, and major charitable initiatives. Raised in East Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains, she established cultural touchstones including the Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge and the Imagination Library childhood literacy program.

Following her passing at age 80 on August 25, 2026, after a private battle with cancer, coverage centered on worldwide tributes, posthumous chart success for her final recording Son of Jolene, and upcoming developments honoring her legacy. Reports detailed how she maintained her intense work ethic until her final days while her family held a small, private burial service.

  • Media coverage following Dolly Parton's death on August 25, 2026, balances widespread industry grief with celebrations of her creative and philanthropic achievements.
  • Storylines focus heavily on her final artistic releases, network television retrospectives, and personal family reflections regarding her privacy and work ethic.
  • Reports also emphasize lasting institutions tied to her legacy, including state funding for her reading program and new developments at Dollywood and in Nashville.

The Dolly Parton shelf

Music to own

Rockstar coverLISTEN · 2023RockstarTwenty-odd guests, one voice still running the room at 77.

Latest on Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton timeline

  1. Dolly Parton Kept Cancer Battle Secret Until The Very End, Niece Reveals

    Sep 2, 2026

    Family members revealed Dolly Parton privately fought cancer prior to her passing on August 25, 2026.

    Dolly Parton Kept Cancer Battle Secret Until The Very End, Niece Reveals
  2. Tennessee Pledges 100 Percent State Funding for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

    Sep 2, 2026

    Tennessee legislative leaders pledged 100 percent state funding for Parton's Imagination Library in the 2027 budget.

    Tennessee Pledges 100 Percent State Funding for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
  3. Dolly Parton’s Cousin Reveals Details On 'Very Small' Private Burial Service

    Sep 3, 2026

    Cousin Richie Owens shared that the Parton family held a very small, quiet private burial service.

    Dolly Parton’s Cousin Reveals Details On 'Very Small' Private Burial Service
  4. Dolly Parton's Final Recording 'Son Of Jolene' Debuts On Billboard Chart

    Sep 4, 2026

    Parton's final studio recording, Son of Jolene with Belles, debuted on Billboard's Country Airplay chart.

    Dolly Parton's Final Recording 'Son Of Jolene' Debuts On Billboard Chart
  5. Dolly Parton’s Nashville Hotel & Museum Set Official Grand Opening Date

    Sep 9, 2026

    Opening dates were set for Parton's SongTeller Hotel and Life of Many Colors Museum in Nashville.

    Dolly Parton’s Nashville Hotel & Museum Set Official Grand Opening Date
  6. Sally Field & Reba McEntire Lead Emotional Dolly Parton Emmy Tribute

    Sep 15, 2026

    Sally Field and Reba McEntire anchored a moving tribute to Parton at the 78th Emmy Awards.

    Sally Field & Reba McEntire Lead Emotional Dolly Parton Emmy Tribute

The photos · 38

Dolly Parton in a white top and black skirt, on stage, with her arms wide open towards the crowd.
Sally Field & Reba McEntire Lead Emotional Dolly Parton Emmy Tribute
Reba McEntire performed the Country legend’s “Appalachian Memories,” as seen here.
Few details were offered leading up to the show. Parton is seen here in 2025.
Producer Jessie Collins previously said it would be “a very beautiful tribute to Dolly.” She’s shown here in a July Instagram upload.
Country star Noah Kahan was set to perform “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” during the In Memoriam segment at the ceremony. Parton is pictured above with cousin Richie Owens in a throwback photo.
Reba McEntire to Honor Dolly Parton at Emmys as McConaughey, Harrelson & 'Baywatch' Cast Join Presenter Slate
Stella Parton Shares Poignant Final Exchange With Late Sister
“That’s the last thing Dolly asked me for,” she recalled during her Thursday sitdown on “CBS Mornings” with Gayle King.
She also shared that during their last chat, she sensed that Dolly (seen in 2014) wasn’t taking care of her health.
“Even until the last conversation I had with her, she was working. That was her passion,” Stella (pictured in 2015) said.
Stella and the Grammy winner (pictured with their sister Freida in 1981) were very close, speaking every Tuesday morning on the phone over coffee.
Stella said she still feels her sister’s presence after Dolly’s death.
Stella Parton Reveals Why Her Sister Kept Cancer Battle Secret From Family
Dolly Parton Drops New Track for All-Star Stanley Brothers Tribute Album
Dolly Parton’s Nashville Hotel & Museum Set Official Grand Opening Date
Hollywood Remembers the Pop Culture Legends Lost in 2026
Dolly Parton's Accounts Share Uplifting Message Following Icon's Death
Lainey Wilson Makes CMA Awards History as She Returns to Host 60th Anniversary Show
Stella Parton Blasts 'Fake AI Garbage' Tributes Following Death of Sister Dolly
Dolly Parton's Final Recording 'Son Of Jolene' Debuts On Billboard Chart
Dolly Parton's '9 To 5' Finally Hits UK Top 40 As Paul Heaton Claims Number One Album
Image caption, Miley Cyrus paid tribute to her godmother Dolly Parton this week describing her as an "angel by my side"
Rolling Stone Salutes Dolly Parton In Special Podcast Tribute Episode
Bad Wolves Dropping Metal 'Jolene' Cover Meant to Feature Dolly Parton
Megan Thee Stallion Stuns On Vacation as Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton Take Over Social Feeds
Why Dolly Parton Was Barred From Winning A Grammy For Writing ‘I Will Always Love You’
CNN Blunders Dolly Parton Tribute By Airing Photo Of Las Vegas Impersonator
John Mayer Mourns Dolly Parton After Icon’s Death Unites a ‘Fractured World’
Vin Diesel Goes Viral With Shocking Dolly Parton Tribute
Dolly Parton Still Lives By Her Humble Tennessee Roots, According To Local Mayor
Waters (pictured above) gushed over the fact that Parton never forgot her humble roots and always gave back to the community, even after becoming an icon in the country music world. He also recalled her “vivacious” perso
Waters noted that Parton (seen here in 1955) was proud of the area and was extremely generous. Michael Ochs Archives
The “Jolene” singer’s childhood home is marked with a sign, though is not open to visitors. Cristopher Lapp
The “9 to 5” singer did, however, make an exact replica of the cabin at her Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, for fans to visit. Christopher Oquendo
Dolly Parton Fans Can Relax: Tropical Storm Dolly Isn't Named After the Country Icon
"One Of One": Ex-NBC Boss Robert Greenblatt Honors Dolly Parton After Icon's Passing
Chris Stapleton Stuns Crowd With Soulful Dolly Parton Cover

Dolly Parton: your questions

When did Dolly Parton pass away?

Dolly Parton passed away on August 25, 2026, at age 80 following a private battle with cancer.

Why did Dolly Parton keep her cancer battle private?

Her family revealed she kept her illness secret from the public and extended relatives to protect her loved ones from stress and anxiety.

What was Dolly Parton's final recording?

Parton's final newly recorded studio track was Son of Jolene, a collaboration with newcomer Belles that debuted on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.

What are the SongTeller Hotel and Life of Many Colors Museum?

They are Nashville hospitality and museum projects personally developed by Parton featuring 245 guest rooms and memorabilia showcasing her life and career.

What is Dolly Parton's Imagination Library?

It is Parton's signature childhood reading program, which Tennessee state leaders pledged to fully fund at 100 percent in the state's 2027 budget.

More on Dolly Parton

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