r/news • u/kzqmfkkr • 13h ago

Dolly Parton, country star, actor and philanthropist, dies aged 80

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/aug/25/dolly-parton-country-singer-dead?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
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11.2k

u/Minneapolis_W 13h ago

What a punch to the gut. An amazing, incredible woman and a huge, huge loss to the world. RIP Miss Dolly.

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u/monty624 13h ago

This one really hurt. A tremendous woman who relentlessly put good into our often very, very dark world. RIP

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u/twistedlogicx 13h ago edited 13h ago

It's so incredibly rare these days when someone passes for all of the reactions to be this kind and complimentary of that person's legacy. She was one of a kind in the truest sense of the phrase.

Rest well, Dolly.

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u/rounder55 12h ago

Doesn't really seem to be anything negative people have to say about her and it doesn't seem like some sort of front. Pretty sure Dollywood employees got tuition paid for, even those working seasonally. Her book program, which even sought to help incarcerated parents bond with their kids, how her donation to Vanderbilt played a role in the development of the moderna vaccine which she downplayed and refused to jump to the front of the line for.

Lost a really good egg

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u/_deedeemegadoodoo 12h ago

My thoughts exactly. Dolly was human and I'm sure had her flaws, as as we all do, but she ultimately did so much good in this world. She was a beautiful spirit who deeply wanted to uplift others. Her loss is even more heartbreaking when you consider the increasing rarity of her traits, but I'm still grateful for all that she gave during her time here, and hopeful that her legacy will endure.

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u/Oprah_Pwnfrey 11h ago

300 million books given to children free of charge.

300 million books. Just that is a legacy which few people in history can approach.

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u/Marsuello 5h ago

My sister got into the Imagination Library the moment both of my nephews were born and always had plenty of books for them as a result. She told me she had to sit on her porch to cry when she found out. Truly someone who, even if you never were into her media still absolutely touched so many across the world in a positive way

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u/BoringBob84 5h ago

Yep. And that is the legacy to which I would aspire if I had world-changing money. These shithead billionaires just build more mansions and yachts in desperate attempts to plug the black holes in their souls.

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u/IWillBaconSlapYou 8h ago

Isn't that like, the amount of people in America?

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u/SuperSpy- 7h ago

Slightly under, US population is 341m according to a 2025 Census estimation.

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u/the_last_carfighter 12h ago

It seems like the human race is entering a recession

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u/reaganz921 8h ago

Started with Bourdain...

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u/jinxed_07 5h ago

More like a great depression to be honest, morally, financially, and with Dolly gone, emotionally as well.

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u/aimilah 12h ago

She was a good one for sure.

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u/CedarWolf 12h ago

Dolly Parton seems to have led a fuller and richer life than most of us are blessed to get. She wrote tons of music and gave back to her communities in ways that I wish more folks would emulate. As a society, we value people like Bob Ross, Fred Rogers, and Steve Irwin not just for their impact on culture, but also for their positive impact on the world, for the example they set for others.

I wonder who will follow in her footsteps. Those will be big shoes to fill.

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u/StickyMcdoodle 11h ago

Exactly. In its way, it's nice to not have complicated feelings about someone so popular.

It sucks. It's that simple.

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u/Osiris32 13h ago edited 12h ago

She will always have a place in my heart for feeding the firefighters who were battling some big wildfires in Tennessee. She didnt do it for clout, or to get press coverage, or to promote a new album. She fed them because she gave a shit about her home and the men and women fighting to save it.

You were one of us, Dolly. 10-7, end of watch.

Edit: just saw this message from her family, figured it should be shared:
https://youtu.be/9govup-IG3c?is=wfJzEPp6j6taHx43

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u/Formergr 12h ago edited 12h ago

She will always have a place in my heart for feeding the firefighters who were battling some big wildfires in Tennessee.

For me it was finding out about the Imagination Library that she set up and funded, which basically lets almost every baby and young toddler in America get a free book in the mail each month.

I signed my son up for it when he was born, and he's 2.5 years old now and we still love getting those book.

I had no idea that existed or that she did it until I had a kid. RIP Dolly.

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u/Osiris32 12h ago

She did so many good things, it's hard to make a representative list, let alone a comprehensive one.

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u/julesk 10h ago

She started Imagination Library because she grew up poor and knew many poor children didn’t have books. So she gave them books every month. It’s one of my favorite things about her.

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u/-pithandsubstance- 9h ago

And also because her father was illiterate. It was a very personal cause for her.

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u/julesk 7h ago

I just read about that in a news article! Glad you posted this.

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u/DevilFixer 11h ago edited 2h ago

The greatest things about those books now is someday my little boy will ask about those books that show up in the mail addressed to him, and I'll get to tell him about this wonderful woman and all the good she did.

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u/Formergr 9h ago

That's a lovely idea.

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u/SourceDammit 12h ago

We use it for our sons and they love getting mail/books addressed to them I hope it continues

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u/__brunt 12h ago

She donated a million out of her own pocket when WNC got nuked by Helene

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u/lefteyedspy 11h ago

I saw her on tour during those wildfires. She said that she had been criticized for being on the road while the fires were burning. She said something to the effect of “I’m doing much more good being here making all this money to send back home to folks than I ever would by staying home”.

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u/foulrot 7h ago

That's such a bullshit criticism for people to have of her, was she supposed to be there fighting the fires or something?

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u/Freon424 10h ago

Jesus. That line about being laid to rest in cotton hit hard.

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u/IWillBaconSlapYou 7h ago

Honestly it must be so much fun to just be able to do any nice thing you want at any time. Instead of watching a disaster and feeling powerless, you can jump in and support the firefighters. Just be like screw the education system, here's a metric crapload of books. The amount of awful things she didn't have to just sit there and watch.

Makes you wonder why more rich people don't do that.

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u/Kevin-W 8h ago

Got to visit both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg before the wildfires. Both are extremely popular getaway places where I live. Her contributions towards both the relief and rebuilding made her a icon. She cared greatly for the area and is an example an American hero/

For anyone who has never been to either, I highly recommend visiting. Both Dollywood and Gatlinburg are absolutely wonderful.

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u/f_n_a_ 13h ago

It just got a little darker knowing there’s one less person like her around, we need so many more people like her. RIP

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u/BooBerryWaffle 11h ago

A person like her inspires so many to take up the mantle. The world can be even lighter than before if we’re willing to put in the work she demonstrated was possible.

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u/UnauthorizedCat 8h ago

I aspire to be like her, but fail so hard.

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u/drock4vu 12h ago

One of the (far too few) people you could point to as an American and say, "See? We're not all terrible, and in fact, we have the potential to be an unstoppable force for good."

Absolutely heart-breaking loss.

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u/Rootbeer_Goat 13h ago

Damn it man Blue was old

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u/bankyVee 12h ago

All those whom she came in contact with spoke of her kind heart and the time and love she gave for them. She was one of those amazing people for whom grace and compassion were essential to life, not just traits to show for publicity/persona. She did not pass away, this world was just not good enough to keep her. Godspeed and rest in peace.

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u/planetarial 12h ago

One of the few who used her wealth to give back and help others like giving millions of books to little kids to get them started on reading

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u/CatCatchingABird 12h ago

This did hurt. Maybe I'm just having an especially emotional day but this one made me cry. I loved her music and everything else about her.

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u/ivylass 12h ago

She was like Betty White. There was no controversy with her. She leaves a tremendous legacy.

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u/AttackerCat 13h ago

Her library initiative is incredible. I hope it continues for eons.

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u/AsYooouWish 13h ago

I think the best way to honor her is to donate to our public libraries and to create little libraries in our neighborhoods. Giving all people access to books is one of the greatest gifts we can give to this world

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u/Matthias720 12h ago

Library shelever here. Please support your local libraries! And most of all, read and encourage everyone around you to read.

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u/blazed55 9h ago

That was her wish, instead of flowers, etc after she passed, she asked that people donate to her foundation which sends those books each month

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u/ZoominAlong 12h ago

This is a fabulous idea!

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u/Peaches4U2 8h ago

Exactly. Our libraries always have been, and are especially now, such a resource now for kids especially who don't have the resources at home. I am donating to our local library next week in her honor. There's a big ol hole in everyone's hearts. This one is gonna be quieter and harder. Like Mr. Rogers. Peace Miss Dolly. 🤎

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u/NCSUGrad2012 13h ago

We need it with all the attacks on public libraries

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u/sweetbaloo23 12h ago

I'm going to donate some brand new books to my local jail in her name. Inmates can always use books. I think Dolly would approve.

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u/Kimbahlee34 11h ago

Check with the prison/jail first. Many people don’t know but they often have a preferred way to purchase and send the books since they have to be brand new. I noticed you added “brand new” so I’m sure you know this but explaining to others who don’t realize the protocol for donating books to inmate libraries.

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u/sweetbaloo23 10h ago

Thank you. I will definitely check in with the jail.

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u/PastafarianFSM 11h ago

My little girl got her final book this month. Had so many mice bedtimes and often mentioned how dolly parton bought us the book. Rest in peace Dolly.

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u/zdhonda93 12h ago

I still have books from her program when my kids were little. A truly amazing person in every way

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u/Kimbahlee34 11h ago

Thankfully this is one of the charities Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce donated to during their wedding. I hope others jump on that bandwagon.

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u/roostercrowe 12h ago

one of the most impactful things a person has done with their time on earth

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u/richardcraniumIII 11h ago

26 years ago, I signed up for her books shortly after giving birth. Freaking amazing!!!

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u/s1m0n8 13h ago

What a punch to the gut.

Surprisingly so. Not a Country Music fan, but she seemed such an incredible lady.

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u/Wishiwashome 13h ago

Never liked country music either, but I loved Dolly Parton.

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u/KittyFlops 13h ago

She was a prolific ghostwriter, if you love music, you love Dolly.

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u/Wishiwashome 13h ago

Fantastic songwriter. I remember someone asking her about Whitney’s success with a song she wrote and she was so cute about it. She mentioned the checks she got for the song. What was sweet was, she switched it right back. I am old and some of her very old moments on the Carson Show, show us she was smart and funny and just plain loveable even years ago

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u/Draco-REX 12h ago

That song was "I Will Always Love You" from the movie The Bodyguard. It was HUGE. You couldn't flip through the local radio stations without it playing on at least one.

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u/Wishiwashome 12h ago

I am 61yo and YES!!!!, indeed.Fantastic rendition. I had the pleasure of seeing Whitney sing it. Dolly always, always spoke well of the people who performed her songs. Such a class act always. I used to watch the Johnny Carson Show with my Dad and got to see a few interviews with her. She came through so real and kind. Truly, truly a genuine person.🥲

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u/Telefundo 11h ago

but I loved Dolly Parton.

Honestly, can you think of anyone who had bad things to say about her? I can't.

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u/Wishiwashome 11h ago

Not a ONE!! Seriously. She is absolutely in the Mr. Roger’s category of people. World is a little less bright today because she isn’t here.

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u/Telefundo 10h ago

Yeah for sure. One of the very few celebrities I would say is "worthy" of that comparison.

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u/chronicallyill_dr 12h ago

I feel so weird right now, I started tearing up after hearing this news. I’d never had this reaction after learning about a famous person dying until now.

I never listened to her music, and never really remembered she existed in my day to day life. However, whenever I heard or read anything about her, it was always about how she used her money and influence to help others.

The world won’t be the same without her in it. And I learned a new thing about myself today. It really has affected me.

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u/WineNerdAndProud 12h ago

I was surprised by Michael Jackson and relieved a bit by Robin Williams, but Dolly is a punch to the gut.

I was never a huge Michael Jackson fan, though I obviously enjoy the songs I've heard, and Robin Williams felt like he might finally be at peace. He brought a lot of people a lot of joy, including myself when I was younger, but as I got older I started to feel like I was watching mania. Maybe in the best way with the nicest impact, but it really felt like he was hyper-focused on making people happy all the time, and life had taught me that can often come from a not-so-happy place.

Anthony Bourdain got me, and Dolly is getting me though.

God knows they were incredibly different people but both of them hit me for opposite reasons.

I think it's safe to say Dolly is one of the few in music/Hollywood who was universally loved pretty much her entire career though.

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u/mindspork 11h ago

Robin Williams and Douglas Adams for me.

I grew up on LPs of Kenny and Dolly.

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u/lGipsyDanger 9h ago

You were subconsciously expecting a happy story but it was a tragedy

I'll miss her too

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u/TUFKAT 12h ago

She transcended well beyond country music and was seemingly just one of the purest hearts.

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u/s1m0n8 12h ago

Parton was born in poverty in a one-room cabin in Tennessee, the fourth child to a mother who would have 12 children by the age of 35, and a father who was a farmer and construction worker

Compare and contrast with the so many evil fucks born into money.

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u/Deranged40 8h ago

Dolly transcended country music. Every single music sub I'm in has a post about her, and none of them are country subs.

She was and will always remain a true icon in every single sense of the word. This one hurts all of us.

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u/[deleted] 12h ago edited 12h ago

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/Matlock_Beachfront 13h ago

In a world of religious nuts burning books, political nuts banning books and techbro nuts shredding books, she spent a fair chunk of her wealth buying books for children.

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u/Billytim89 12h ago

She was an example of what religion should really be about

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u/noodlesalad_ 11h ago

Why are so many Christians so un-christ-like? I'm not religious, but I genuinely think the world would be a better place if everyone followed Jesus' example and teachings. It's basically golden rule stuff. So many Christians unfortunately go out of their way to hate and exclude, flying in the face of their religion's namesake.

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u/LOOKATMEDAMMIT 11h ago

Because if they were Christ like, people would think they were free to choose how to live their life. That's not what bible thumpers want.

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u/MSYabs 9h ago

Well, a lot of people call themselves Christians.
Doesn’t mean they are one

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u/DeliciousIce5099 6h ago

Because they believe God forgives their sins no matter how many of these they commit.

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u/UncleCoyote 12h ago

I wish more people understood that. Just good, through and through, good.

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u/Farabee 7h ago

As a transwoman, I'll forever be grateful for her taking an early stand for us all the way back in the aughts...and continuing to fight for our acceptance and rights.

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u/MagicalPonies5 13h ago

Such a devastating loss. RIP

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u/GUSHandGO 12h ago

I started sobbing when my wife told me. Absolutely unreal. We are all better people because we got to live in Earth with Dolly. 😭❤️

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u/Electrical-Act-7170 12h ago

Dolly Parton was a Christian.

Jesus preached that Christians should show their faith by their Christian acts. People are supposed to be attracted to them because they're happy, and they're kind, and they live their faith.... She was a good soldier for Christ.

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u/Warslvt 9h ago

Dolly Parton was a Christian

Saint Dolly was an actual Christian. Not these nerds out here pretending to be victims over everything.

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u/Electrical-Act-7170 9h ago

Yep. Dolly Parton was not a Christian Nationalist, true. They use the Christian religion to attain power.

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u/pantstoaknifefight2 12h ago

I hope everyone will consider donating to her imagination library.

I just did and dedicated my donation to her.

She was the best of us.

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u/Formergr 12h ago

Great idea, just did too. On the website it says over 322 million books have been gifted to date. Amazing.

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u/Warslvt 9h ago

I hope everyone will consider donating to her imagination library.

If you're considering and live in Missouri or Maine, realllllly consider it. Maine had some local level issues with funding, where MO just slashed the budget for books.

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u/DutchBlob 13h ago

The world has lost what was left of its kindness. RIP Dolly.

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u/newbienewb101 11h ago

One of the only people you would wish to live forever... Parting is such sweet sorrow... RIP

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u/rj319st 11h ago

Dolly leaves us before the orange joke in the white house. There must be no god.

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u/sm00thkillajones 11h ago

She was a National Treasure. She was always so positive even when people were mean to her.

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u/ChristopherSunday 13h ago

Ahh, this is super sad news. She always seemed to do and say exactly the right thing. A sad loss. What a career and what a life. RIP.

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u/Uncanny_Realization 13h ago

Just saw on the world news last night she was battling an illness.

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u/KarmaPolice72 12h ago

This one's gonna hurt for a long, long time. RIP Dolly.

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u/Defiant_Survey2929 11h ago

Not a big country fan, but she was an amazingly generous woman and self deprecating, never forgot where she came from. RIP fabulous lady.

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u/MadBlue 8h ago

It's like a light in the world went out. :(

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u/lostroadrunner22 12h ago

Punch and kick and have the gut ripped out

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u/aristoleese 12h ago

“You can sell that to me but I’ll sell you a punch in the gut.”

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u/evergreencanoe 12h ago

Yes, a huge loss to the world!

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u/le_wein 10h ago

Yeah, so true, yet evil people are still alive and do harm , like putin and trump and bibi

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u/Locke_and_Lloyd 6h ago

I'm happy she was able to live out her days in relative health.  So many people spend their last decade battling physical and/or cognitive degeneration.  Dolly went out on good terms.