It was announced on Tuesday, August 25th, that Dolly Parton had died. She was everything a celebrity should be.
With a discography spanning decades and countless accolades, Dolly Parton was an icon and above all; an inspiration. Alongside her work with marginalized communities, her career should be defined by her musical genius, her optimism, and her consistent willingness to help others.
Dolly Parton was born in 1946 in Pittman Centre, Tennessee. She and her 11 siblings lived in one room, with no running water. Her father was a farmer while her mother cared for her children, rearing them on Smoky Mountain folklore and traditional Tennessee ballads.
Despite her father’s illiteracy, she described him as one of the smartest people she had ever known. She carried this understanding, empathy and humility with her throughout her entire life. Even after moving to Nashville aged 18 and her career quickly skyrocketing, Parton never forgot her roots. She sang about her childhood and her family lovingly in songs like ‘Coat of many Colours’ and ‘My Tennessee Mountain Home.’
Kindness, compassion and generosity underpinned Parton’s career. But what was also omnipresent was her fearless, unstoppable drive for creativity, innovation and reinvention.
Instantly recognizable, clad in wigs and rhinestones, Parton was also constantly underestimated and even mocked. She famously remarked “it takes a lot of money to look this cheap.” She could play a myriad of instruments, from the dulcimer to the electric guitar to the saxophone - all while wearing acrylic nails.
Her musical output was monumental, releasing 50 studio albums, winning 11 Grammys, 3 Emmys, 2 Oscar nominations, a humanitarian honorary Oscar win in 2025, 6 Golden Globes and a Tony. From early feminist tunes including ‘Dumb Blonde’ to anthems such as ‘Jolene,’ Parton’s name became synonymous with the American music catalogue.
She endured tough times in her career bravely, including her decision to leave her longtime collaborator’s country music show, The Porter Wagoner Show, in 1974. She would channel her heartbreak into her music, releasing the devastatingly beautiful “I Will Always Love You.” Her enigmatic inner confidence would be reinforced when she famously stood up to the King of Rock himself, Elvis Presley, when he tried to buy the rights to that same song from her.
With her appearance in the workplace comedy 9 to 5 in 1980, her career reached sensational heights. But Parton would also go on to be as prolific a philanthropist as she was a songwriter. She was most passionate about encouraging literacy for children and adults through her own Dollywood Foundation, establishing Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in 1995. Today, over 3 million children are registered with the charity.
But Parton would also go on to be as prolific a philanthropist as she was a songwriter
She advocated for women’s health, openly discussing her experience of endometriosis and side effects including depression, during the 1980s where this subject matter was taboo. She has also donated money to charities providing relief for issues including HIV, Black Lives Matter, underfunded hospitals, endangered animals, wildfires and funded vaccine development during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A shining light in an industry, and more specifically a music genre, dominated by men, in addition to her humanitarian efforts, Parton spent the later years of her career providing guidance to and empowering female and LGBTQ artists.
In recent years, she performed to huge crowds of all ages at festivals including Glastonbury and Newport Folk Festival and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
In short, Dolly Parton was a powerhouse. May she rest in peace.