Dolly Parton dead at 80: Celebrities react to country music superstar’s death

Celebrities and politicians are offering their condolences following the death of country music superstar Dolly Parton, who died Tuesday at the age of 80.

“Dolly Parton: An American Original – A Special Edition of 20/20” airs tonight, Aug. 25 at 10/9c on . Stream the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.

President Donald Trump wrote on social media that he would be lowering the American flag for one week in honor of Parton, calling her death “a true loss for millions of people.”

“There has never been anyone like her, and never will,” Trump wrote.

“A world without Dolly doesn’t feel possible, real, or right. But because of the eternally generous way she spent her time on this earth and the countless lives she changed for the better, her legacy will be an everlasting one,” Taylor Swift said in a lengthy statement.

“She was truly the gift that kept on giving. Dolly gave us someone to look up to while encouraging us to be who we are as individuals,” the statement continued. “Somehow she was able to give us her lessons about the world gently and honestly, simultaneously, and oftentimes hilariously. She managed to give the world the ultimate mystery and fantasy in some corners of her life, but to give full transparency in the ways that counted. Somehow she was true grace and true grit, all in one dazzling person. She possessed the softest heart when it came to the struggles of others, and a backbone of steel to defend her own self worth as an artist.”

Swift said she was grateful for Parton’s music and philanthropy and saluted the music legend “For the tightropes she walked so that young girls like me could grow up dreaming of joining the circus too.”

Beyoncé honored the “Queen of Country” in a heartfelt message shared on her official website.

“You were the barometer. The North Star. Bold and brilliant. Talented and tenacious. You taught so many lessons on how to be uniquely oneself,” Beyoncé wrote. “I am grateful for your art, your heart, your generosity, your humor, your entrepreneurship. I’m honored that I had the privilege to work with you.”

“You are truly one of one. Rest peacefully,” she added.

Sabrina Carpenter, who collaborated with Parton on a version of “Please Please Please” from Carpenter’s “Short n’ Sweet” deluxe album, remembered Parton as “an angel walking the earth.”

“I will cherish our laughter and conversations and i will keep your wisdom, your playful outlook on life, and perfect sense of humor in my pocket for the rainy days,” Carpenter wrote on Instagram. “there will never be another you and how lucky are we all to have experienced your singular magic as well as your once in a lifetime voice, songs, and heart.”

“your light will be something the world will search forever to find again 🦋🦋🦋 i will always love you,” she added.

Jane Fonda, Parton’s friend and co-star in the 1980 hit comedy “9 to 5,” wrote on Instagram, “I am devastated.”

“Dolly will always be with us because she was so present, so powerful, so generous and playful that she is woven into all our lives and hearts forever,” Fonda wrote. “We have our memories of her, her songs, Dollywood, ‘9to5,’ the millions of books she got into the hands of children, all the iconic images that bring her to us. And they are all blessings. Let’s be grateful for all that she has left us to ease our sadness now.”

“… To her gay and trans fans, I want you to know that she loved you,” Fonda added. ” … And you know she doesn’t want y’all to mourn now. Dress up and celebrate her spirit.”

Lily Tomlin, Parton’s longtime friend and her other “9 to 5” co-star, wrote on Instagram, “No words … 💔.”

The movie was Parton’s big-screen debut, and she wrote and performed the film’s chart-topping, Grammy-winning theme song.

Tomlin said at the 16th Annual Governors Awards in 2025 that the song “9 to 5” was “so much bigger than any singular theme song on a movie soundtrack,” saying it “became an anthem for our culture of the time.”

She added at the time that Parton’s “humanitarian achievements are as staggering as her formidable singing career” and called her “one of the few people who remains in this world that everyone loves and respects.”

Country singer Kacey Musgraves also shared a message on social media Tuesday, following news of Parton’s death.

“This really really hurts,” she wrote in a series of posts on X. “The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden.”

Dean, who was Parton’s husband of nearly 60 years, died last year at the age of 82.

Parton’s fellow country singer and actress Reba McEntire wrote on Instagram, “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. We will remember and cherish every memory and every note you ever played and sang,” she continued. “… 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.”

Former President Bill Clinton described Parton as “a great songwriter and performer who told the stories of everyday Americans with honesty, humility, and heart.”

“She rose high from her East Tennessee roots and never forgot where she came from. And she always believed in giving back, especially in her efforts to promote literacy,” he wrote in a statement. “Hillary and I were big fans and first saw her in 1974, and will always be grateful for the music and the memories. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, her legion of fans, and everyone who loved her.”

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton added, “Dolly Parton did all the good she could, for all the people she could, for as long as ever she could. From her legendary songwriting to the Imagination Library — which sent 1 million books a month to children across the country — she was the best of America. Dolly, we’ll miss your great heart.”

The Jacksons called Parton a “true trailblazer” in a statement on Instagram.

“Through her extraordinary talent, kindness and generosity, she opened doors and inspired generations around the world. We share this special memory from 1977, when we had the honor of meeting Dolly in England on the same day we also met Queen Elizabeth II,” the Jacksons wrote alongside a carousel of images. “Thank you, Dolly, for the music, the joy and the light you shared with us all.”

“Our prayers are with Dolly’s family, friends and everyone whose life she touched. … Your beautiful spirit and remarkable legacy will live on forever,” the Jacksons said.

Comedian and actress Carol Burnett took to social media to reflect on one of her “favorite memories,” taping the “Dolly & Carol in Nashville” special in Parton’s home state of Tennessee.

“We shot the week of Thanksgiving and Dolly made individual turkey dinners for every one of us, that she cooked herself,” Burnett said.

“That’s who she was,” she said, adding, “I’m so sad right now.” 

Former Vice President Kamala Harris called Parton a “true American icon” in a statement Tuesday.

“Her career accolades included 11 Grammy awards, an Emmy, an honorary Oscar, and — my favorite — more than 300 million books sent to millions of children around the world through her Imagination Library,” Harris wrote. “All at once she was kind, modest, and funny. With her music, her philanthropy, and her style, Dolly was one of one.”

“Doug and I send our prayers to her family, friends, and all those who have been touched by her magic,” she said. “We will always love you, Dolly.”

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said Parton was “one of a kind, who loved people, her work, her family, and her Lord.”

“Tennessee has forever been changed — enhanced — by her, and will never be quite the same without Dolly,” the governor said on social media.

Reese Witherspoon wrote on social media, “When I was playing June Carter Cash in ‘Walk the Line,’ [Parton] took me to dinner and told me stories of how June Carter charmed everyone in country music. 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.”

Witherspoon said throughout her career, Parton sent her “notes of encouragement and support, telling me to be the light in people’s lives and listen to my angels.”

“Dolly, I miss you already. Your talent, your wisdom and your beautiful spirit lit up our lives,” the actress said.

Khloe Kardashian, a Parton superfan, also took to social media Tuesday, writing in an Instagram story post, “Some people are so extraordinary, their existence feels almost impossible. Dolly was one of those people.”

“A once-in-a-lifetime soul. A woman whose light, heart, talent and humanity changed this world forever,” Kardashian wrote. “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,” she added. “There will never be another Dolly.

Singer Kelly Clarkson also honored the legendary singer, writing on social media that Parton “had a way of making everyone feel special, and seen, and welcomed, and as if you were old friends.”

“I will miss her heart and her voice as I am sure millions will,” Clarkson said. “What an incredible gift and talent she was and still is with an amazing catalogue of art she has left behind for all of us.”

Jack White of The White Stripes, who covered Parton’s hit song “Jolene” in 2000, posted a photo of Parton on Instagram with the caption, “Instant Sainthood.”

Actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth wrote on Instagram that she was “heartbroken,” calling Parton her “ultimate inspiration.”

“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,” Chenoweth said. “… 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.”

The Muppets also honored the legendary performer, saying in a statement on Facebook, “There will never be another quite like Dolly Parton. She was the ultimate singer, songwriter, actress, performer, and philanthropist. She filled the world with light and we are so grateful for every second we got to spend with her onstage and off.”

Actress Octavia Spencer called Parton “a gift to the world,” writing on social media, [Y]our voice, your philanthropic heart, and warmth made us … feel seen and that the world was a pretty decent place.”

Actor Colman Domingo wrote on social media, “Dolly taught us that you can be anything and do anything and to do it with kindness. What a light. We are all grateful that we lived in a time of Dolly Parton. We will always love her.”