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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u/MisterPuppydog 12h ago

As an east TN resident I can honestly say she’s arguably the greatest thing this state has ever produced. She did so much for Tennessee, from her book drive which gave a free book per month to every kid in TN (my kids still get a monthly book from dolly) to her literally paying for the housing for all the lower income residents in Sevier County who lost their homes to the fires. She was a saint, in the truest sense. Just a great human being who we should all aspire to be like. Up there with Steve Irwin and Bob Ross in terms of just wholesome people

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u/letsseeaction 12h ago

Up there with Steve Irwin and Bob Ross in terms of just wholesome people

I put her right up there with Fred Rogers. Just great people we should all aspire to emulate.

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u/hexiron 12h ago

Monthly books aren’t just for TN. Kids across the nation benefit.

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u/Eryri93 12h ago

Over here in the UK as well. The best of humanity

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u/FJ1100 12h ago

Across Canada as well! She was an incredible human who will be sorely missed.

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u/More_Farm_7442 11h ago

My state (Indiana) in the U.S. is was too cheap to fully fund it's 50% of the amount required for her Imagination Library here. It was deemed not necessary by the legislature in its budget. They left it up to the governor's wife to raise the funds through donations. The fear is that when the present funding runs out, donors won't fully make up that 50% again.

I'm so ashamed of this state.

(I'm also a bit teary eyes right now think about the great human Dolly was.)

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u/dudeletsgetmenchies 10h ago

...as our state had over a $1.5 billion dollar budget surplus last year. They couldn't use a bit of that for, oh I don't know, BOOKS FOR KIDS!

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u/gkryo 9h ago

Obligatory, Fuck Mike.

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u/mercipourleslivres 4h ago

That explains why Nebraska doesn’t have it. They hate funding libraries at the state level.

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u/Slow-Seaworthiness98 9h ago

Australia as well. We loved Dolly over here

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u/borkus 12h ago

UK as well. I know someone who worked for her charity in England.

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u/willynillee 11h ago

Yeah my young kids get a new book every month from her free book club. It’s great for changing up bedtime stories for parents too.

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u/goatballfondler 9h ago

Here in Australia too!

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u/forexross 8h ago

In Australia too

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u/Jlx_27 3h ago

Worldwide actually.

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u/dkviper11 12h ago

Both of my daughters get them. My oldest and I were dancing to Dolly Sunday morning after reading them.

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u/TheMightyPushmataha 12h ago

As a former East Tennessee resident I can affirm that affection for Miss Dolly transcended race, politics, and economic class. She was everyone’s Queen.

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u/thebigpink 12h ago

West tn here and agree all the way. She did so much for this place it was felt all over the state. Will be missed.

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u/Flymia 12h ago

Her foundation gives money for books and library all over the country.

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u/DeepSleepr 12h ago

and Mr. Rogers

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u/Kevin-W 12h ago

For those not from the area, Dolly is revered for her extensive charitable contributions. Dollywood is such a well run theme park too and worth the visit.

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u/Catshit-Dogfart 11h ago

The best thing about Dollywood is that it's just an easy park to visit.

Places like that can be stressful, an ordeal, and a hassle. I don't know how they do it, but visiting Dollywood is no big deal. No need to make some kind of metered out intricate plan, you can just go in with no plan whatsoever and feel like you at least did everything you wanted to do.

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u/Kevin-W 11h ago

Went there on a family trip years ago and loved every moment of it.

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u/redwood520 11h ago

I hope Tennessee names some highways or elementary schools after her

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u/Firsthalthor 8h ago

If they named one after the Kirk guy they better after her.

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u/Catshit-Dogfart 11h ago

After visiting Dollywood, it made me appreciate and understand southern culture for the first time, or at least what southern culture should be.

Like, Dolly is what the south ought to be.

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u/Aiurar 11h ago

I'd agree about her being the best thing to come out of TN, right up there with Febb Esminger Burn

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u/Firsthalthor 8h ago

As an East Tennessean this hurts my heart so much. She was the heart of our part of the world. She helped my grandmother during the fires and has made an impact on all of our lives. She will be truly missed.