Entertainment World Pays Tribute to Dolly Parton Following Her Passing at Age 80

LOS ANGELES – FEBRUARY 15: Singer Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire pose on the set of The WB’s “Reba” at 20th Century Fox Studios on February 15, 2005 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Following the announcement that Dolly Parton passed away at age 80, heartfelt tributes have flooded in from across the entertainment industry to honor the legendary musician, actress, author, and philanthropist.

ForbesDolly Parton, Country Music Icon And Philanthropist, Dies At Age 80By Jeff Benjamin

With her extensive music catalog and ownership stake in Dollywood theme park, Forbes estimated Dolly Parton’s net worth at $450 million as of June 2025.

This substantial fortune was built over seven decades of work spanning entertainment, including music, acting, producing, writing, and philanthropy, touching countless lives and resonating with people from all walks of life around the world.

Below are touching tributes from Dolly’s famous friends and notable figures across entertainment, business, and politics who honored the late superstar, along with photos that demonstrated the breadth of her career and influence.

Reba McEntire

Influenced by Dolly herself, the country music star shared a touching tribute to her “buddy Dolly” with photos of the two throughout the years.

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. Thank you, Lord, for Dolly. 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.

Lily Tomlin

The actress who co-starred with Parton in the film 9 to 5 stated she had “No words” alongside a photo of the two together. She also re-shared several photos of the stars together through the years on her Instagram Story.

Keith Urban

The country singer, who had performed with and shared tributes about Parton through the years, wrote on his Instagram Story that he was “heartbroken today,” adding, “honestly……. I have no words right now.”

Kelly Clarkson

The American Idol winner stated that “Dolly 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. 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.”

Parton had previously appeared and performed duets with Clarkson on her daytime talk show.

Kacey Musgraves

The country-pop star, who performed with Dolly at the Grammy Awards and participated in a tribute for Parton at the Country Music Awards for the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, shared a series of posts about how she was processing the news, including a hopeful thought about Dolly reuniting with her husband Carl, who passed away in March 2025 at age 82.

Sally Field

The Academy Award-winning actress shared a photo with Dolly and other stars, writing, “If there are truly angels on earth, then we have just lost one.” Field added, “There will never be another. I adored her with all my heart and will always cherish our time together. Forever. Rest in peace beautiful Dolly.”

Bette Midler

“Our beloved Dolly Parton has died,” Midler said of her previous duet partner. “I am devastated, and I’m sure the nation will mourn her as I do, and for many years to come. She had a voice of pure gold and a heart to match. What a terrible, terrible loss.”

Jamie Lee Curtis

The actress shared a photo of Dolly and her late husband Carl, as well as one with Parton, writing, “They say don’t meet your heroes. They were wrong about her.”

She continued her tribute, saying, “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.”

Donatella Versace

“The world has lost one of the kindest and most generous of souls, the greatest of storytellers and a true legend of music,” the fashion icon and Versace brand ambassador wrote on Instagram. “So many lives were made better because of you. Thank you Dolly, for everything.”

Maren Morris

The country star shared a sweet video capturing Dolly’s nurturing nature, with Parton embracing Morris while she and a group of musicians harmonized on Dolly Parton’s classic “Eagle When She Flies.”

Kristin Chenoweth

The musical theater superstar, whom Parton once suggested would be an “ideal person” to portray her in a Broadway musical, wrote on Instagram that Dolly was “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.”

Mick Jagger

The Rolling Stones singer posted in tribute, saying, “What a wonderful songwriter and singer Dolly was. She brought so many people together, we will all miss her so much.”

Sarah Jessica Parker

The Sex & the City star said she never met Parton, but added, “my gosh, did I love her. I don’t think any of us had to know her to love her.”

Parker continued, saying Parton was “one of the greatest this country ever produced,” calling her a “Legend” and noting that Dolly was “always advocating for those she knew and understood needed a champion.”

Melissa Etheridge

The singer shared photos of her with the fellow guitar player through the years, saying “Words fail me today,” but adding, “I was blessed with knowing her, just a little. We all were. I will strive the rest of my days to be as joyful and loving as she was. Her talent and gifts she gave us will live on for generations. We are a better world because she walked among us. May she live in the stars of the night and in the light of our days.”

Jack White

The White Stripes star said Parton deserved “instant sainthood” in his tribute on Instagram.

Amy Sedaris

The comedian quoted Parton, who once said, “If you see someone without a smile, give them yours,” adding her own words with, “There goes our sun. This is so sad.”

Jackée Harry

The Sister, Sister and 227 actress shared a charming clip of her and Parton singing together on television, saying, “There was only one Dolly. The voice, the songs, the outfits, the makeup, the hair…and underneath all that sparkle was one of the biggest hearts in show business. Dolly was truly incomparable. Rest in peace, you beautiful soul.”

Colman Domingo

The Emmy winner shared that “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.”

Megan Hilty

Alongside a sweet photo of her and Dolly, the Broadway star wrote, “She made more of an impact on me than I can express in an Instagram post and this deep and profound loss will take quite some time to process. I am so grateful to have been in her orbit and we are all so lucky this actual angel walked among us.”

Jimmy Buffett

The social media account for the late singer-songwriter shared classic photos of Dolly with Buffett in tribute, along with a quote from Parton: “I’m very proud and honored to be part of anything that is going to make the world a better place.”

Lil Nas X

The “Old Town Road” singer chose to remember Dolly’s spirited side, captioning his tribute with “THE ONE AND ONLY! FLY HIGH MISS DOLLY!”

The Muppets

Sharing photos from two of her iconic appearances alongside Muppet stars Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog through the years, the official account for the Muppets wrote: “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.”

Paris Hilton

The media personality shared that she was “heartbroken” to hear about “Queen Dolly Parton’s passing.” She called Parton “a true icon and such an inspiration to me. Her talent, heart and kindness touched so many lives, and she truly left this world better than she found it. Sending all my love to her family, friends and everyone who loved her.”

Tim Cook

The Apple CEO wrote that “Dolly Parton’s music helped light up the world,” adding, “She was a brilliant songwriter, cultural icon and dedicated philanthropist who helped instill a love of reading and learning in millions of children around the world.”

Zohran Mamdani

The New York City mayor spoke about the “truly heartbreaking” news, adding that “Dolly Parton was an extraordinary person and an irreplaceable champion of the working class. We are a better country because of her.”

Bernie Sanders

The Vermont senator highlighted Parton’s achievements in music and philanthropy, pointing out that she was “a lifelong philanthropist and advocate for literacy, education, LGBTQ+ rights, healthcare and disaster relief. Her music and humanity touched millions. She will be sorely missed.”

Kamala Harris

The former vice president highlighted Parton’s many accomplishments through the years, adding, “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. We will always love you, Dolly.”

Donald Trump

The president wrote on his Truth Social account that he was “very sad to report that Dolly Parton, one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER, has just passed away. This is a true loss for millions of people. There has never been anyone like her and never will.”

POTUS added that he is ordering the lowering of the American flag throughout the country for one week beginning tonight at 6:00 p.m.

Republicans under Trump’s party have notably cut funding to Parton’s child literacy program across states including Indiana, Kentucky and Missouri.

Bill Clinton

The former U.S. president shared his condolences, writing that Parton “was one of a kind — 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. 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.”

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