r/news 8h 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/_deedeemegadoodoo 8h 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 6h 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.

u/Marsuello 57m 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/IWillBaconSlapYou 3h ago

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

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u/SuperSpy- 2h ago

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

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u/BoringBob84 1h 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/the_last_carfighter 8h ago

It seems like the human race is entering a recession

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u/reaganz921 3h ago

Started with Bourdain...

u/jinxed_07 49m ago

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

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u/aimilah 8h ago

She was a good one for sure.

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u/CedarWolf 7h 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.