World mourns music legend Dolly Parton, who has died aged 80
Country music legend and children’s literacy champion Dolly Parton has passed away aged 80 as the universally adored global icon’s goddaughter, Miley Cyrus, joined the outpouring of tributes
READING LEVEL: GREEN
The world is in mourning following news that country music icon* Dolly Parton has died in the US at 80.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity* into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” a statement to People magazine read.
“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable* Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact.
“After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Centre surrounded by loved ones,” the statement concluded.
Tributes continue flowing for the global superstar, who was much loved for her storytelling, songwriting, remarkable voice, out-size personality and phenomenal philanthropy*.
Famous for decades through her music and acting, Parton’s death prompted an outpouring of grief from her many millions of fans.
Miley Cyrus, who is the country superstar’s goddaughter, said the world had lost “the purest soul”.
“I can’t believe we just lost the purest soul,” Cyrus posted on X.
“Rest in Glory, Dolly. My heart aches.”
In another post, she added: “RIP Dolly, you transcended* time & you live in the hearts of entire generations.”
Mourners soon gathered to honour the star, laying flowers, wreaths and butterflies at the Dolly Parton Statue in Sevierville, Tennessee, her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and her plaque at the Walk of Fame Park in Nashville.
Parton’s nephew and her longtime head of security, Bryan Seaver, confirmed her passing in Nashville in an Instagram post on Wednesday AEST.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he said.
“As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now. It is an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly.”
“Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus,” he continues. “Surely met by Carl, her parents and countless others who have watched her and longed for her to meet them in the heavens. I first went on the road with Dolly as a kid, getting a taste of the road life in the early 1980s. Dolly opened doors not just for me, but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn’t even know was possible.”
Shortly after the news broke, US President Donald Trump ordered flags across the nation to be flown at half-mast.
President Trump posted: “Very sad to report that Dolly Parton, one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER, has just passed away. This is a true loss for millions of people. There has never been anyone like her, and never will.
“In her honour, 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.”
TMZ reported that the intimate ceremony is being planned in Nashville “in the coming days,” with her closest family and loved ones expected to be in attendance.
The singer recently cancelled an appearance at her popular Dollywood theme park after a doctor ordered her not to travel.
Back in the 1980s, Parton was open about her battle with endometriosis*, for which she underwent a partial hysterectomy* and learned that she could not have children.
The music industry is in mourning after the death of Parton, who inspired countless artists.
Beatles legend Paul McCartney paid tribute to Parton and her “unrivalled” songwriting, singing and philanthropic efforts.
“The magnificent star Dolly Parton has died and it is so sad,” McCartney wrote, adding, “Her songwriting, her singing, and her philanthropy were unrivalled in the world of country music and it is hard to imagine living in a world without Dolly.
“She was a very clever business woman who understood the value of music and, most importantly, the effect that she had on the people of the world.”
Musicians as varied as members of the legendary Rolling Stones, English rocker Rod Stewart, rapper Eminem and Australia’s own Keith Urban were among those to pay their respects. Eminem shared a letter from Dolly, while Keith Urban posted a black tile to his Instagram stories and wrote, “Heartbroken today … honestly … I have no words right now.”
American singer-songwriter Kasey Musgraves said on social media that “the world feels a lot less sparkly” while fellow performer Maria McKee posted on Instagram: “It felt like you were always there to lend encouragement, especially when I was just a little kid.”
The acting world was also deeply saddened.
Reese Witherspoon paid tribute, saying Parton helped her prepare for her Oscar-winning role in Walk The Line, a biopic about Johnny Cash and his wife.
“I count my lucky stars that I called Dolly my friend,” Witherspoon shared via Instagram. “When I was playing June Carter Cash in Walk the Line, she took me to dinner and told me stories of how June Carter charmed everyone in country music.”
She added: “Dolly gave me the courage to put my whole spirit into that performance and made me see how lucky I was to be a storyteller. Throughout my entire career, she sent me little notes of encouragement and support, telling me to be the light in people’s lives and listen to my angels. Always signed: ‘I will always love you.’.”
Hollywood royalty Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda starred with Parton in the 1980 hit comedy 9 to 5 and separately shared their deeply felt loss, while Julia Roberts and Sally Field also paid tribute to their Steel Magnolias co-star.
“Dolly was a magical and joyous human,” Roberts wrote. “I hold knowing her as a treasure in my life. The sun has dimmed today.”
Carl Thomas Dean, Parton’s beloved husband of almost 60 years, passed away in March 2025 at the age of 82.
WHAT IS THE IMAGINATION LIBRARY?
Beyond her vast contributions in music and film, Dolly Parton’s legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of millions of children worldwide whose lives have been forever changed by the gift of books.
Parton was raised in extreme poverty* but went on to devote decades and millions of dollars to education and other worthy causes, perhaps most notably by founding her global childhood literacy initiative, the Imagination Library.
As news of her passing spread, Parton’s team said in lieu of flowers, “the family asks for donations to be made to Imagination Library, her free book-gifting program for children”.
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library Australia is currently celebrating 12 years, during which more than two million books have been sent to Australian children.
Each month, children enrolled in the program receive a high-quality, age-appropriate book in the mail, free of charge, from birth to age five. For more information, head to imaginationlibrary.com/au
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GLOSSARY
- icon: a famous person or thing that represents something of enduring importance
- integrity: the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that you refuse to change
- invaluable: extremely useful and often used to describe something viewed as indispensable
- philanthropy: practice of giving away money, especially in large amounts, to organisations that help people
- endometriosis: a female condition in which cells from the lining of the uterus grow outside the uterus
- hysterectomy: surgical operation to remove all or part of the uterus
- poverty: when people are unable to meet their basic necessities, like adequate food and housing, due to lack of money or skill
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QUICK QUIZ
- What is US President Donald Trump doing as a mark of America’s affection and respect for Dolly Parton?
- What is the name of Parton’s theme park in Nashville?
- Which famous performer is Dolly Parton’s goddaughter?
- What is the name of Dolly Parton’s global children’s literacy charity?
- How many years has it operated in Australia and how many books have been sent to children here?
LISTEN TO THIS STORY
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. What makes Dolly a great role model?
What is one thing that you think makes Dolly Parton a great role model for kids your age?
Write a detailed paragraph explaining your opinion on this. Use information from the story to help you.
Time: allow at least 30 minutes for this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Civics and Citizenship, Personal and Social Capability
2. Extension
As you deduce reading the story, Dolly Parton supported many education programs, like the Imagination Library. She even gave scholarships to students who went to her old school to encourage them to finish their education! Why do you think education was so important to Dolly Parton? Write a reflection on this question.
Time: allow at least 20 minutes for this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Personal and Social Capability
VCOP ACTIVITY
Wow word recycle
There are plenty of wow words (ambitious pieces of vocabulary) being used in the article. Some are in the glossary, but there might be extra ones from the article that you think are exceptional as well.
Identify all the words in the article that you think are not common words, and particularly good choices for the writer to have chosen.
Select three words you have highlighted to recycle into your own sentences.
If any of the words you identified are not in the glossary, write up your own glossary for them.
Extension
Find a bland sentence from the article to up-level. Can you add more detail and description? Can you replace any base words with more specific synonyms?
Down-level for a younger audience. Find a sentence in the article that is high level. Now rewrite it for a younger audience so they can understand the words without using the glossary.