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Dolly Parton Shared How She Wanted to Be Remembered Before Death
President Donald Trump is paying his respects to Dolly Parton.
In the wake of the country music legend's death at age 80, Trump ordered all American flags in the United States be lowered to half-mast for one week starting at 6 p.m. local time Aug. 25.
"Very sad to report that Dolly Parton, one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER, has just passed away," the commander-in-chief wrote on Truth Social. "This is a true loss for millions of people. There has never been anyone like her, and never will."
Trump, also 80, added, "Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you."
Parton's death was confirmed by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who shared the news in an Aug. 25 video he said was "something Dolly asked of me years ago before I fully absorbed it as a future reality."
"It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness," he continued. "But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light, and is in the arms of Jesus."
Sharing that Parton was "surely met" by her late husband Carl Dean, who died in March 2025 at 82, Seaver went on to praise the "9 to 5" singer for inspiring "generations of singers, songwriters, musicians, and dreamers from every walk of life and across every continent."
"By her example, we believed that anything was possible," he said. "She never saw a door she couldn't open, and the doors she opened made and the doors she opened made and changed history."
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Joining her family in mourning has been many of her fans, friends and those who followed in her footsteps, like Kelsea Ballerini.
“My East Tennessee angel,” the “Cowboys Cry Too” singer wrote on her Instagram stories. “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."
A cause of death was not disclosed, though Parton faced what she described as "health challenges" in her final months.
"My doctors tell me that I must have a few procedures," she shared on Instagram in September. "As I joked with them, it must be time for my 100,000-mile check-up, although it's not the usual trip to see my plastic surgeon!"
To see how others are honoring Parton after her death, read on.
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Reba McEntire
“Well, I just got the news that my buddy Dolly passed onto the higher and greater side,” the country singer began in her tribute to Parton. “Dolly, thank you for all the wonderful things you did for us here on earth.”
“Your love, your music and you gave so much with your huge huge heart. There will never ever be another you,” she added alongside several photos of the two. “We will remember and cherish every memory and every note you ever played and sang. Thank you, Lord, for Dolly.”
McEntire continued, “She’s gonna have a blast in heaven singing all her favorite songs with all her family and friends who have gone on before her. I’ll never forget the first time I met you and I’ll never forget our last conversation. I hold it with love in my heart. I will always love you, Reba.”
Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Julia Roberts
“Dolly was a magical and joyous human,” Roberts shared of her Steel Magnolias costar in a statement to Variety. “I hold knowing her as a treasure in my life. The sun has dimmed today.”
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Kristin Chenoweth
“Like the rest of the world, I’m immediately heartbroken,” the Broadway star shared alongside a photo of herself and Parton. “I met Dolly on several occasions and she always made me feel like one of her own. She even agreed to sing with me on one of my records. My ultimate inspiration. The world has lost one of the best but I know we will never forget her because she is impossible to forget. I love you Dolly and I will ALWAYS love you.”
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Lance Bass
“The best of the best of the best,” the ‘NSYNC member shared alongside a black and white photo of Parton. “We will always love you Dolly!”
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Andy Cohen
The Bravo star remembered the singer with several butterfly emojis, writing, “We were all so lucky to live in her midst and get to experience her music, kindness, and joy.”
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Sarah Jessica Parker
The Sex & the City actress shared her devastation over Parton’s passing, noting that while they never met, she loved her.
“I don’t think any of us had to know her to love her. One of the greatest this country ever produced. Legend. For real. Forever. And always advocating for those she knew and understood needed a champion,” she wrote on Instagram alongside several photos of Parton through the years. “What a loss. But aren’t we so lucky, so fortunate for the endless gifts she shared. With the world. Godspeed and RIP. You will be terribly missed. Xxx, SJ”
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Josh Groban
The “You Raise Me Up” singer commented on the post announcing Parton’s passing, “What a gift to the world she was and will continue to be.”
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Seth MacFarlane
The Orville creator shared a clip of Parton’s appearance on the series, writing, “The news of Dolly Parton’s passing is devastating.”
“I had the extraordinary experience of working with her on The Orville, and it was a joy to discover that she really was exactly the person we all hoped she was,” he shared. “Her kindness, generosity, and authenticity were evident from moment one, and the benign yet assured command she maintained over her empire was obvious from the genuine love and trust you could see from everyone who worked for her. The world is a dimmer place today without her.”
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Keke Palmer
Palmer remembered her Joyful Noise costar by sharing a photo of Parton as well as one of them together, expressing on Instagram, “I’m devastated. Truly.”
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Kacey Musgraves
“Dolly. This really really hurts,” the “Rainbow” singer posted to X, adding in a followup, “The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden.”
“So glad she’s with her Carl Dean,” she continued. “No one talk to me today.”
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Khloe Kardashian
The Kardashians star posted a series of tributes to Parton on her Instagram Story, including a look at her Dolly Parton-themed birthday party.
"Some people are so extraordinary, their existence feels almost impossible. Dolly was one of those people,” Kardashian wrote. “A once-in-a-lifetime soul. A woman whose light, heart, talent and humanity changed this world forever.”
She continued, “To have admired her was a gift. To have met her, spent time in her presence, and somehow been lucky enough that Dolly Parton knew my name... I will never have words big enough for what that means to me. What an astronomical human being. What a legacy. What a loss. There will never be another Dolly."
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Dionne Warwick
“I will certainly miss her laugher, jokes and her being,” the “Walk On By” singer posted to X with a photo of herself and Parton. “Rest well and in total peace my friend. My heart is heavy.”
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Leslie Jordan
“Today, we say goodbye to an extraordinary light,” the late actor’s estate wrote alongside a throwback photo of Jordan and Parton. “Dolly gave the world music, laughter, generosity, and a reminder to lead with kindness. Her heart was as big as her talent, and her legacy will live on in every song, every story, and every life she touched.”
“May she be reunited with her dear friend Leslie Jordan, making heaven a little brighter, funnier, and more fabulous,” the message continued. “Rest peacefully, Dolly. You will always be loved, always be remembered, and never be replaced.”
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Jamie Lee Curtis
“Thank you, Dolly,” the Oscar winner posted on Instagram alongside a photo of Parton and her late husband Carl Dean. “For all of it.”
In a follow-up post, Curtis added a photo of her and the “9 to 5” singer, writing, “They say don't meet your heroes. Her bravery to know that she was more than they thought she was and that she needed to break away and move on into new work and new possibilities led her to write I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU, as her way of thanking and loving, but moving on. She is a great example for us all.”
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Marisa Tomei
Quoting one of Parton’s biggest hits, in the comments announcing the “I Will Always Love You” singer’s death The My Cousin Vinny actress wrote, “We will always love her.”
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Bob Mackie
“Dolly was a lovely soul and spirit who was fair to everyone,” the legendary designer wrote on Instagram. “She was a joy and pleasure to dress. You will be missed. With love, Bob Mackie xo”
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Pedro Pascal
The Mandalorian actor shared a black and white photo of Parton, saying, “One of one. We must make more. #DollyParton #Love”
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