Dolly Parton dead at 80 as country music world mourns beloved icon whose songs shaped generations

Dolly Parton had begun thinking about her funeral over 10 years prior to her death in Aug. 2026.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly in May 2014, Parton revealed which song she wants people to sing at her funeral, and the special reason behind her wish.

“There’s a song called ‘If We Never Meet Again,'” she said. “It’s an old country-gospel church song that talks about if we never meet again this side of heaven, I will meet you on that beautiful shore. ‘Where the charming roses bloom forever and where separations come no more.'”

“That was my daddy’s favorite,” she added. “We did sing it at his funeral, and I would like it to be sung at mine.”

Parton died on Tuesday, Aug. 25 at the age of 80 following “a brief battle with cancer,” leaving behind a legacy in country music spanning roughly seven decades, having gotten her start in the 1960s.

Fox News Digital's Lori Bashian contributed to this report.

Dolly Parton first burst out onto the scene when she was 13 years old and performed at the Grand Ole Opry for the first time.

She then left her home after graduating high school to pursue a career in country music and sparked a professional relationship with Porter Wagoner, which turned into a friendship, appearing on “The Porter Wagoner Show” for many years.

After a number of years, Parton ventured out on her own and released many of country music’s most iconic songs, including “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You,” “Coat of Many Colors” and so many more.

Along the way she won 10 Grammys and earned 55 nominations, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Amid her many other big career accomplishments, Parton also started the Imagination Library, which delivered books to children no matter what their economic status.

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Fox News Digital's Lori Bashian contributed to this report.

Dollywood park executives confirmed the theme park will remain open in the days immediately following Dolly Parton's death.

In a lengthy statement, executives shared “Dollywood will be open Wednesday as Dolly wanted, always reminding everyone with her signature sparkle — ‘the show must go on.’”

“Together, we honor her by carrying forward her message of love, perseverance, and hope,” the statement read.

Parton died on Tuesday, Aug. 25 following a “brief battle with cancer,” at the age of 80.

She first opened the park in 1986 and often attended the theme park on special occasions.

“Dolly’s heartfelt wish,” the statement continues, “was that Dollywood always remain a place of joy, hope and togetherness—a space where families and friends could honor her memory, not with silence, but with laughter, music and shared dreams.”

Dollywood Parks & Resorts President, Eugene Naughton, added that “the greatest privilege of my life has been helping Dolly bring her dreams to life at Dollywood.”

“Dolly’s heart was as vast as the mountains she cherished, and her compassion knew no bounds. She inspired generations to dream boldly and love deeply,” he added. “While we grieve her loss, we are honored and committed to carry her light forward. Her legacy will continue to shine in every melody sung, every smile shared and every dream kindled within these gates.”

Fox News Digital's Lori Bashian contributed to this report.

Tributes for Dolly Parton continue to pour in from various country music stars, including Jason Aldean and Kelsea Ballerini.

Aldean shared a black-and-white photo of Parton, writing he is “sad to hear of the passing of @dollyparton today.”

“The term 'legend' gets thrown around a lot these days but she really was. An icon to the entire entertainment industry, especially the Country Music family,” he wrote. “I had the privilege being around her a few times over the years and she was truly a bright light that shined just a little brighter than anyone else in the room. It’s always sad when one of our heroes passes away, but the beauty in music is that her art will live on forever. Rest easy Dolly and thank you for the contributions you made and the doors you kicked down for all of us that came after you.”

Ballerini shared a series of photos of her and Parton either singing together or posing alongside each other on the red carpet, calling her “my east tennessee angel.”

“Thank you for every ounce of magic and butterflies, acceptance and joy, heart and music you brought to this world. we will always love you dolly,” she wrote adding a broken heart emoji.

Another Instagram story featured she and Parton posing together with Ballerini writing, “this was my first time meeting dolly. i was new in my career and couldn’t wait to talk to her about growing up in knoxville going to dollywood and seeing her at the christmas parade.”

She continued: “she was so tickled by my stories, so present…like she didn’t single handedly influence every woman in the music scene since she started. the true definition of a legend. still can’t believe she’s gone. but she ever will be.”

Billy Ray Cyrus took to Instagram to share multiple photos of him and Parton over the years, including with his daughter Miley, who was Parton’s godchild.

“I have so many moments and memories with Dolly, it’s hard to know where to start. Like every little boy, I grew up loving Dolly Parton,” he wrote. “She was a part of our lives, on our TV’s, right in our living rooms.”

He added: “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. In true Dolly fashion, she just looked at me, winked and said, “Honey, this trash sells records!”

Cyrus then shared that Parton recently told him that “she loved me with her whole heart,” adding that he “will always love her in the same way.”

Other country stars, such as Maren Morris also paid tribute, sharing a video of Parton singing with her backstage, writing, “there will never be another. @dollyparton was who we could all agree on. she was and is such a light.”

Blake Shelton shared a photo of the two of them from her time on “The Voice,” saying that without a doubt in his mind he knows, “we are all feeling the same heart brokenness today.”

“I only got to spend any real time with Dolly when Gwen and I got to work with her on The Voice,” he wrote. “I want everyone to know that she was the EXACT person that you think she is. It was like being with the funnest, most loving, most caring and closest member of your family. Truly a loss for the entire world. We love you Dolly.”

Gretchen Wilson shared a black-and-white photo of Parton, writing, “you built a legacy in country music when few women had a way into the business… I am forever grateful to have watched and learned from you. Rest in peace. ”

Shania Twain also paid tribute, sharing a video of her and Parton singing together on stage, writing, “Dolly was pure light sent from heaven. My mentor is gone. My songwriting teacher and hero of grace and humility. There is a hole in my heart but the joy of just the thought of her smile will continue to fill me with inspiration for as long as I live. I will cherish this moment performing Coat Of Many Colors with Dolly forever. Goodbye Dolly. Rest in peace, beautiful angel.” 

Fox News Digital's Lori Bashian contributed to this report.

Throughout her roughly seven decades in the music industry, Dolly Parton earned a total of 10 Grammy Awards and 55 nominations.

Her first nomination came in 1970 in the country performance by a duo or group category for her duet with Porter Wagoner, “Just Someone I Used to Know.”

She received a many more nominations until she won for the first time in 1979 in the female country vocal performance category for her song, “Here You Come Again.” She followed that with two wins in 1982 for best country song and female country vocal performance for “9 to 5.”

Parton went on to receive nominations for her performances of the songs, “Tennessee Homesick Blues,” “I Will Always Love You” and her duets with Kenny Rogers, “Islands In The Stream” and “Real love.”

She later won two awards for her partnerships with Linda Rondstadt and Emmylou Harris in 1988 and 2000.

Her final three wins came in 2017, 2020 and 2021 respectively, and her final nomination came in 2025 for a recording of her audiobook, “Behind The Seams: My Life In Rhinestones.”

Fox News Digital's Lori Bashian contributed to this report.

During an appearance on the “Tomi Lahren Is Fearless” podcast, country music singer shared his thoughts on the death of Dolly Parton, calling her “what every artist aspires to be like.”

“You can see the difference in the artists that are not truly artists. Like they don't live it. They don't. It's not in their DNA to do it,” he said. “They do it for popularity or money or they're just naturally good at it, but they don't truly love it. Dolly Parton is about as original and authentic as you're going to get when it comes to music.”

He credited her true passion for country music as the reason that “not just Americans, but literally the entire world loved” her.

Rich reflected on her appearance on the “Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson,” noting while “everybody else is coming in with big bands,” Parton charmed the talk show host with her guitar, telling him “I wrote a little song for you, Johnny,” saying as she sang her song, “he just melts and so does America.”

“You can't teach that. You can't practice that. That is a God-given ability. And she and very few others, Elvis, Dolly, very few artists have ever come along that that hold the standard of their art that high. And it makes people like me and all the rest of us realize we will never attain that. Uh Johnny Cash is another one. But what a goal to shoot at.”

He went on to add that Parton “will be sadly sadly missed,” and that he “wish[es] we could have gotten another 20 years out of Dolly Parton.”

Parton died on Aug. 25 at the age of 80.

Fox News Digital's Lori Bashian contributed to this report.

Dolly Parton wore rhinestones and fringe, not a military uniform, but the American music legend spent decades finding her own ways to serve those who served America.

Parton, who died Tuesday at 80 in Nashville, forged a lasting connection with the military during her seven-decade career.

Her iconic blonde likeness appeared on U.S. military aircraft, she performed for troops and military families, recorded patriotic music and once took the Grand Ole Opry stage as American service members watched from Iraq.

The connection was personal, too. Carl Dean, Parton's husband of nearly six decades, enlisted in the Army shortly after they began dating and served for two years, according to Biography.com. The couple married in 1966, and remained together until Dean's death in 2025.

Read more about Parton's patriotism, including when she performed for troops, recorded patriotic albums, and had her likeness painted on an aircraft.

Fox News Digital's Jasmine Baehr contributed to this report.

Dolly Parton was inspired to write one of her biggest hits, “I Will Always Love You,” after a significant professional partnership in her life came to an end.

She wrote the hit song in 1973 for Porter Wagoner. When Parton was living in Nashville, Tennessee and trying to make it as a country musician, Wagoner asked her to join him on the “The Porter Wagoner Show,” creating a partnership that lasted several years and produced 13 studio albums.

After seven years, Parton decided it was time to pursue a career on her own, telling Howard Stern in 2023, “I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life being a girl singer.”

Wagoner did not take the news well and so Parton wrote “I Will Always Love You” as her way of asking her friend to let her follow her own path, telling Stern, “I sang the song alone in his office — just me and my guitar.”

“That’s the best song you’ve ever wrote…You can go if I can produce the song,” she recalled Wagoner telling her. It went on to reach No. 1 on the Billboard country charts.

The song found new life in 1992 when singer, Whitney Houston, recorded her own version of the song as part of the soundtrack for the movie, “The Bodyguard.”

It became the best-selling single of 1992 and won Houston a Grammy Award for record of the year and best pop vocal performance, female in 1994.

Fox News Digital's Lori Bashian contributed to this file.

Carrie Underwood leaned on her shared faith with Dolly Parton in the wake of the country icon's death.

"She’s not gone. I know exactly where she is," Underwood wrote on Instagram. "She was the epitome of faith, grace, talent, beauty and humor. She had a humble heart for Jesus and made everyone around her feel special.

"She was probably the one person on planet Earth that everyone loved and could agree on. She was a one of one and no one will ever come close."

Underwood added, "It’s alright to be sad that this world lost a legend, but heaven gained an angel. Well done, good and faithful Dolly. Welcome home."

Ella Langley thanked the country music icon for "standing up for yourself as an artist, a songwriter, a musician, a producer, an author, a creative, and most importantly, a woman in this industry.

"You paved the way for so many to be brave," she wrote on Instagram. "Thank you for being unafraid to show your most authentic self. The world needed Dolly and will never see another like it."

She added, "The gates of heaven just welcomed home a beautiful soul."

Parton died peacefully in Nashville, Tenn. on Tuesday, according to a press release obtained by Fox News Digital. She was 80.

Dolly Parton conquered the music world long before she became a familiar face on movie screens, but her Hollywood roles helped cement her place as one of entertainment’s most beloved stars.

The country music icon, who died at 80, brought the same humor, warmth and unmistakable charisma that defined her songs to a string of memorable films.

Parton made her big-screen debut in the 1980 workplace comedy “9 to 5,” starring alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. She played Doralee Rhodes, the underestimated secretary who joined forces with her co-workers to take on their sexist boss. Parton also wrote and performed the movie’s title song, which became one of the biggest hits of her career.

She followed that success with “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” in 1982, playing Mona Stangley opposite Burt Reynolds. Parton earned a Golden Globe nomination for the musical comedy.

In 1989, Parton starred as Truvy Jones in “Steel Magnolias,” the beloved Southern drama-comedy that brought together an all-star cast including Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis and Daryl Hannah.

Parton also appeared in 1992’s “Straight Talk,” played a singing angel in the 1996 holiday film “Unlikely Angel” and starred in “Joyful Noise” alongside Queen Latifah in 2012.

Her movie career never overshadowed her music, but it gave fans another reason to love Parton: she made every character feel bright, funny and completely her own.

Dolly Parton's lasting legacy will shine bright Tuesday in Manhattan.

"Tonight, the Empire State Building tower lights will turn to a pink sparkle at 9:25 to honor the late Dolly Parton," the observation deck shared on X. "Dolly was a global cultural icon whose seven-decade career reached generations of fans.

"Beyond entertainment, Dolly leaves a significant philanthropic legacy through the Dollywood Foundation and Imagination Library, which has provided hundreds of millions of books to children worldwide."

They added, "At Nine-Two-Five tonight, we celebrate her and her legacy."

Parton died Tuesday in Nashville, Tenn. She was 80.

Dolly Parton was mourned Tuesday by a number of global business leaders following her death.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Apple CEO Tim Cook and Thrive Global founder Arianna Huffington took to X to honor Parton’s legacy after she died peacefully Tuesday in Nashville, Tennessee, at age 80.

Bezos wrote that Parton "spent her whole life showing us what it means to lead with love."

"Lauren and I are so grateful to have known her," Bezos wrote on X. "She lifted everyone with her music, her generosity, and her joy. Sending our sincere condolences to her family and everyone she touched."

Circumstances surrounding Parton's death were not immediately available, and her cause of death has not yet been released.

Read more tributes to the late country music icon.

Fox News Digital's Sophia Compton contributed to this report.

Flowers were placed at Dolly Parton's Hollywood Walk of Fame star on Tuesday, hours after the death of the beloved country music icon.

"Dolly was a once-in-a-lifetime talent whose music, films, generosity, and unmistakable spirit touched millions around the world," producer Ana Martinez said in a statement. "Her loss is immeasurable—not only to her family, friends, and fans, but to the entire world."

She added, "The Hollywood Walk of Fame will forever shine a little brighter because Dolly Parton walked among us.” 

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce administers the Walk of Fame on behalf of the City of Los Angeles. 

Parton died Tuesday in Nashville, Tenn. She was 80. Circumstances surrounding her death were not immediately available.

Dolly Parton left behind a songbook that shaped country music and reached far beyond Nashville.

The country music legend, who died at 80, scored hits across several decades with songs that showcased her unmistakable voice, candid storytelling and gift for writing melodies that stayed with listeners for generations.

“Jolene,” released in 1973, became one of Parton’s signature songs. The haunting plea from a woman confronting a romantic rival remains one of the most recognizable tracks in country music.

Parton also made “I Will Always Love You” a landmark hit before Whitney Houston introduced the song to a new generation with her blockbuster 1992 recording. Parton wrote and first released the song in 1974, proving her power as a songwriter as well as a performer.

Her 1980 anthem “9 to 5,” written for the movie of the same name, became another defining moment in her career. The song captured the frustrations of working life with Parton’s trademark wit and energy, reaching No. 1 on the country charts and becoming a crossover smash.

Other standout songs in Parton’s catalog included “Coat of Many Colors,” “Here You Come Again,” “Islands in the Stream” with Kenny Rogers, “Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That” and “Two Doors Down.”

Parton’s music made her a country superstar, but its emotional honesty and universal appeal helped turn her into a global icon.

Country music icon Dolly Parton, who died Tuesday in Nashville, spent decades turning her success into support for children, medical research and communities recovering from disasters.

One of Parton’s best-known philanthropic efforts, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, has distributed more than 332 million free books since its founding, according to the organization's website.

The program mails free books each month to children from birth to age 5. It launched in Sevier County, Tennessee – where Parton was raised – in 1995, expanded nationally in 2000 and later reached several other countries.

Parton died peacefully in Nashville, Tennessee on Tuesday, according to a press release obtained by Fox News Digital. She was 80.

Read more about Parton's philanthropic efforts, including her contributions to medical research and wildfire relief.

Fox News Digital's Sophia Compton contributed to this report.

Dolly Parton was last publicly seen on June 24 for the grand opening of Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop.

The Cornersville location marked the debut of a first-of-its-kind roadside destination inspired by Parton's lifelong connection to the open road.

"Well, the doors are open and I could not be prouder," Dolly said at the time. "Whether you are hauling loads, hauling the family, or just passing through, we built this place for you.

“Good food, real rest, a little music, and people who are genuinely glad you stopped in…that’s what the road has always deserved, and that is what you will find here. Welcome home." 

Parton died peacefully in Nashville, Tenn., on Tuesday, according to a press release obtained by Fox News Digital.

Circumstances surrounding Parton's death were not immediately available, and her cause of death has not yet been released.

Dolly Parton’s death may not mark the end of new music from the country legend.

Parton previously revealed that she had written thousands of songs that had never been released, raising the possibility that fans could hear new material from her vast vault in the years after her death.

“I’ve got hundreds, hundreds, even thousands of songs — a big part of them have never even been recorded,” Parton said during an appearance on the "Dolly Parton’s America" podcast in 2020. “There’s enough stuff to go on forever with my music, to do compilation albums, to do new and original stuff. I am purposely trying to put songs down for that very purpose, to have a click track and my vocals where any arrangement could be done. So I think ahead.”

“Anybody could produce that. Anyone, any producer in the world — a hot shot producer, when I’m gone, they could take my songs, just the click track of my vocal, and build a complete arrangement around that. So that will go on forever.”

Parton had also tucked a special track away in a vault at Dollywood, to be released on the 30th anniversary of the park's opening.

“It would be a song that will never be heard until 30 years from the time we opened the resort,” Parton explained during an appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" before her death. “They said, ‘You’ll be long dead.’ I said, ‘Well, maybe not. I’ll be 99. I’ve seen people live to be older than that.’”

Parton died Tuesday in Nashville. She was 80 years old.

Dollywood mourned the death of its founder and namesake, Dolly Parton, in a statement shared after the country music legend’s death Tuesday.

“The greatest privilege of my life has been helping Dolly bring her dreams to life at Dollywood,” Eugene Naughton, Dollywood Parks & Resorts President, said. “Dolly’s heart was as vast as the mountains she cherished, and her compassion knew no bounds. She inspired generations to dream boldly and love deeply. While we grieve her loss, we are honored and committed to carry her light forward. Her legacy will continue to shine in every melody sung, every smile shared and every dream kindled within these gates.” 

The Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, theme park opened in 1986 and grew into one of the state’s top tourist attractions. Parton’s connection to the Smoky Mountains remained central to the park, which showcased the music, food, crafts and culture of her East Tennessee roots.

Parton, who died at 80, built Dollywood into a cornerstone of her larger legacy beyond music and film. The park also reflected her longtime commitment to her home state and the community where she grew up.

Dolly Parton’s family will hold a small, private service for the country music icon, honoring her wish to be remembered by her immediate loved ones.

“At Dolly’s request, a small, private service will be held for immediate family,” the family said in a statement.

Parton’s loved ones encouraged fans and friends around the world to celebrate her life online by tagging @DollyParton on social media or leaving a message at DollyParton.com.

The family also asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the literacy program Parton founded to help put free books in the hands of children.

Parton died Tuesday. The musician was 80 years old.

Julia Roberts and Sally Field paid tribute to their “Steel Magnolias” co-star Dolly Parton following the country music icon’s death.

"If there are truly angels on earth, then we have just lost one," Field wrote on Instagram. "Dolly Parton. 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."

"Dolly was a magical and joyous human," Roberts told Fox News Digital in a statement. "I hold knowing her as a treasure in my life. The sun has dimmed today."

Field, Roberts and Parton starred alongside Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis and Daryl Hannah in the beloved 1989 film. Parton played Truvy Jones, the warmhearted owner of a Louisiana beauty salon where the women gathered to share laughter, grief and life’s biggest moments.

“Steel Magnolias” became one of Parton’s most memorable film roles, adding to a career that made her a country music powerhouse, Hollywood favorite and philanthropic force.

George Strait and Sheryl Crow joined the growing chorus of stars mourning Dolly Parton after the country music legend’s death.

Strait remembered Parton in a post shared to X: "You’ve had such a huge impact on so many people all over the world, @DollyParton. We will all miss you. May God bless the Parton family."

Crow also paid tribute to the singer-songwriter on Instagram, writing, “There is a hole in the universe. There was and will never be anyone like @dollyparton. I did not know her well but I loved her like family... we all did. She was an incredible story teller musically and in real life."

"But she was also a loving and compassionate human being, led by goodness in all she did," she added. "I will miss knowing she is on the planet but she will never be far away. RIP Dolly. We love you.”

Dolly Parton wanted to be buried in a bed of soft cotton after spending a lifetime draped in rhinestones, according to a touching tribute from her nephew following the country music icon’s death.

“Dolly was a farmer, just like her daddy; he farmed the soil, she farmed songs and happiness,” he said in a video shared Tuesday on Instagram. “Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because, after a life of wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.”

The message nodded to Parton’s East Tennessee roots and the larger-than-life rhinestone style that became synonymous with her decades in the spotlight.

Parton, who died at 80, grew up in the Smoky Mountains before becoming one of country music’s most prolific songwriters and beloved performers.

Dolly Parton's former hideaway in Solvang, Calif. hit the market last month.

The current owner of the home, Cris Lapp, a real estate broker with Black Oak Homes and Mortgages, listed the home for $1.95 million and told Noozhawk he hopes a "mega fan" like him buys the property.

Originally built in 1920, the coveted property features three distinct homes, including a three-bedroom, two-bathroom front home; a three-bedroom, two-bathroom upper rear unit; and a one-bedroom lower unit with a three-quarter bath.

The "9 to 5" singer reportedly purchased the home through Dolly Parton Enterprises in 2004 and used it as her private weekend getaway for 10 years. 

Parton died peacefully in Nashville, Tennessee on Tuesday, according to a press release obtained by Fox News Digital. 

Her nephew revealed the news in an Aug. 25 Instagram video. The news comes after Parton spent months battling an unknown health issue.

Fox News Digital's Lori Bashian contributed to this report.

Dolly Parton was reportedly hospitalized for four days prior to her death Tuesday. She was 80.

Parton died at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, sources told Fox News Digital.

The "9 to 5" singer was admitted to a hospital on Aug. 21, according to People.

Parton died peacefully in Nashville, Tennessee on Tuesday, according to a press release obtained by Fox News Digital.

Circumstances surrounding Parton's death were not immediately available, and her cause of death has not yet been released.

Parton's representatives did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Dolly Parton was forced to miss a major Dollywood celebration on Friday, Aug. 14, after her doctor advised her to remain in Nashville due to her ongoing health issues.

The 80-year-old country music icon was scheduled to appear in person for the grand opening of Dollywood’s new NightFlight Expedition roller coaster. Instead, she joined the crowd virtually via a live video stream.

“I’m still in Nashville, and I’m sorry about that,” Parton told attendees during her on-screen appearance.

Addressing her absence, Parton reminded fans that she had previously opened up about experiencing “a few little health issues,” explaining that she occasionally suffered from bouts of dizziness and dehydration.

“And I’m dehydrated,” she noted.

Parton explained that her physician ultimately stepped in to prevent her from traveling.

“And, so, my Nashville doctor clipped my wings, saying, ‘You ain’t traveling this week,’” she shared.

The singer took the medical advice in stride.

“So, I guess if your doctor tells you, ‘You ain’t traveling this week,’ you ain’t traveling this week,” she quipped.

Appearing on screen wearing fairy wings prior to her passing, Parton reassured fans that she wanted to keep them updated on her condition, emphasizing that she liked keeping her audience “in the loop” and had promised to share “everything.”

Fox News Digital's Stephanie Giang-Paunon contributed to this report.

Johnny Cash first introduced Dolly Parton to the stage during her debut at the Grand Ole Opry in 1959.

At 13-years-old, Parton and her Uncle Bill Owens managed to get a guest spot on the iconic stage after Jimmy C. Newman agreed to give up one of his regular Saturday night spots for the rising star, according to her website.

"We’ve got a little girl here from up in East Tennessee," Cash told the audience. "Her daddy’s listening to the radio at home and she’s gonna be in real trouble if she doesn’t sing tonight, so let’s bring her out here."

Parton sang George Jones’ song, "You Gotta Be My Baby" and received three encores that night.

"As I heard the band play my introduction, I lifted my head and looked up toward the lights," Parton said. "I smiled at the people in the balcony and then let ‘er rip."

Parton died peacefully in Nashville, Tennessee on Tuesday, according to a press release obtained by Fox News Digital. She was 80.

Country music legend Dolly Parton was prioritizing her health shortly before her death.

The 80-year-old icon opened up about her well-being as she prepared to unveil a new museum celebrating her life in Nashville, telling People magazine that she had recently endured some "hard times with my health."

“I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” Parton said, referring to her late husband, Carl Thomas Dean, who died in March 2025 at age 82.

“It’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health,” she noted in the interview published Aug. 21.

The beloved singer acknowledged how quickly health speculation can spread across the internet.

“I used to joke that I was the Queen of the Tabloids, but now I guess I can say I’m the Queen of Social Media AI!” she quipped.

Despite her ongoing physical recovery, Parton remained focused on her future projects.

“Seriously, though, even though I’m still healin’, I’m still workin’,” she said.

Before her death, Parton and her team were in the "early stages of development" on a project involving "avatar performances," designed to give fans an innovative way to experience her music in the years ahead.

Parton died peacefully in Nashville, Tennessee on Tuesday, according to a press release obtained by Fox News Digital. 

Her nephew revealed the news in an Aug. 25 Instagram video. The news comes after Parton spent months battling an unknown health issue.

Fox News Digital's Stephanie Giang-Paunon and Christina Dugan Ramirez contributed to this report.

President Trump ordered flags lowered to half-staff in honor of Dolly Parton following the country music legend’s death.

"Very sad to report that Dolly Parton, one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER, has just passed away," the president wrote on Truth Social. "This is a true loss for millions of people. There has never been anyone like her, and never will."

"In her honor, I am lowering the American flag throughout the United States for a one week period beginning tonight at 6:00PM. Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you."

Trump’s flag order came as tributes poured in from country music stars, Hollywood figures and fans around the world.

Read more about President Trump's decision on Fox News Digital.

Celebrity tributes began pouring in after the death of Dolly Parton, with stars across music, film and television remembering the country music legend’s extraordinary career and lasting impact.

Parton, who died at 80, spent more than six decades as one of entertainment’s most beloved figures. The singer-songwriter’s influence stretched from country music to Hollywood, philanthropy and pop culture, leaving generations of artists and fans with songs that became part of the American soundtrack.

Keith Urban took to social media saying he's “heartbroken today” adding, “honestly........ I have no words right now."

Pink shared a photo of Parton with a broken heart emoji.

"It is indeed rare for the world, collectively, to express sorrow for someone’s passing," Trace Adkins wrote on X. "I knew her to be the angel that they think she was, and I’ll miss her. Dolly, I’ll always love you."

John Rich wrote, "Dolly Parton, an American Original and an absolute country music hero, has sadly passed away. Rest in peace. The whole world will miss you."

Dolly Parton, the country music icon whose voice, songwriting and larger-than-life personality made her one of the most beloved entertainers in the world, has died. She was 80.

Parton’s death was confirmed Tuesday by her nephew. Details surrounding her death were not immediately available. The musician had spent months battling an unknown illness.

The Tennessee native built a career that stretched far beyond country music, becoming a Grammy-winning singer, celebrated songwriter, actress, entrepreneur and philanthropist over more than six decades in the spotlight.