Dolly Parton death sparks tributes from stars

Dolly Parton, the Tennessee-born country legend, passed away at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville after a brief battle with cancer. The 80-year-old was surrounded by loved ones at the time of her death.

Miley Cyrus posted an emotional tribute on Instagram, calling Parton an "angel by my side". She wrote, "I will always love her and want to make her proud," and thanked her godmother for her influence.

Taylor Swift reflected on Parton’s grace and grit, describing her as "a dazzling person". Swift added that Parton’s generosity and the millions of books she provided to children worldwide left a lasting legacy.

Sir Paul McCartney recalled meeting Parton at the Grand Ole Opry before her solo career began. He said she was "bubbly and full of life" and that her songwriting, singing and philanthropy were unrivaled. Sir Elton John called her a "giant of an artist - unique and irreplaceable, with the kindest heart".

Beyoncé described Parton as a "barometer" and a "North Star", praising her talent, tenacity and generosity. She noted that Parton taught many lessons about being uniquely oneself. Sabrina Carpenter, who collaborated with Parton in 2025, said she felt like an angel walking the earth after meeting her. Katy Perry, who performed with Parton several times, called her a "pure, sweet…sassy cup of joy" and highlighted how she defied stereotypes.

Eminem, who had never met Parton, said she sent him a note when he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, calling him "very special". Jack White, who covered "Jolene", called for her instant sainthood. Rod Stewart was "absolutely floored" and Mick Jagger praised her songwriting and her ability to bring people together.

Billy Ray Cyrus, Parton’s close friend and Miley’s father, recalled a moment when he apologized for tabloid rumours. He said Parton simply winked and said, "Honey, this trash sells records!" Celine Dion called Parton a "pure light" with a generous spirit. Kacey Musgraves said the world felt "a lot less sparkly" after her passing. Reba McEntire thanked her for all the wonderful things she did for the music community.

Jane Fonda, who co-starred with Parton in the 1980 film "9 To 5", said she was devastated. She described Parton as a playful southern gal who could see through people to their true selves. Oprah Winfrey wrote that Parton dreamed a life and then lived a life bigger than anyone could imagine, giving generously to others.

Presidential tributes followed. Donald Trump called her death a "true loss for millions of people" and ordered flags lowered in her memory. Bill Clinton called her "one of a kind - a great songwriter and performer" who never forgot where she came from. Barack Obama said it was hard to imagine anyone having a bigger impact than Parton.

Parton had been dealing with health issues in May, canceling a highly anticipated Las Vegas residency that was due to start next month. She cited a longtime struggle with kidney stones and said she was responding well to medication and treatments, improving every day.

She died nearly 18 months after the passing of her husband, Carl Dean, with whom she had been married for more than 60 years. The couple had no children.

Her songwriting legacy is reflected in the stats of country music hits, and her influence can be seen in the squad of emerging artists who cite her as a role model.

Parton died at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, surrounded by loved ones, according to her spokesperson.