Country music has lost one of its brightest stars.
Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80. Her family confirmed her passing Tuesday, August 25.
For nearly six decades, Dolly was much more than a country singer. She was a songwriter, actress, entrepreneur, philanthropist and one of the most beloved personalities in music history.
Born in the Tennessee Smoky Mountains, Dolly grew up in a large, close-knit family and began writing songs when she was just a child. She moved to Nashville as a teenager and eventually became a superstar, first gaining national attention through her partnership with Porter Wagoner before launching an enormously successful solo career.
Her catalog is packed with songs that have become part of the fabric of American music – “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You,” among countless others. “I Will Always Love You” went on to become an even bigger pop hit when Whitney Houston recorded it for The Bodyguard.
Dolly also conquered Hollywood, starring in movies including 9 to 5, Steel Magnolias and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. She earned 11 Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, cementing her place as one of the most influential artists in country music history.
But for many people, Dolly’s greatest legacy may be what she did away from the stage.
Through her Imagination Library, she helped put millions of books into the hands of children around the world. She also supported education, medical research and countless charitable causes throughout her life.
And somehow, through all of the fame, awards and business success, Dolly never lost the qualities that made people fall in love with her in the first place: her humor, her generosity, her unmistakable voice and her ability to make just about everybody feel like a friend.
Her passing comes just days after Dolly spoke publicly about her recent health struggles. Even while dealing with those challenges, she said she was still working and had plenty she wanted to accomplish.
Dolly Parton leaves behind a musical legacy that spans generations and songs that will be sung for generations to come.
We’ll always love you, Dolly.
