Country music icon Dolly Parton, whose distinctive voice, songwriting talent and flamboyant personality made her one of the most recognisable entertainers in the world, has died at the age of 80, her family said on Tuesday.
Parton died peacefully in Nashville, according to her publicist. The announcement brings to an end a career spanning nearly six decades in which she became one of the best-selling female recording artists of all time.
Parton rose from humble beginnings in rural Tennessee to become a global music superstar, actress, businesswoman and philanthropist. Her catalogue included enduring country and pop classics such as “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.”
Parton sold more than 100 million records worldwide and won 11 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award. She was also inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and became a prominent figure far beyond the music industry.
Her career was rooted in songwriting. Parton recalled writing her first song, “Little Tiny Tasseltop”, when she was about six years old, inspired by a corncob doll with corn-silk hair.
She went on to write more than 3,000 songs, establishing herself as one of the most prolific songwriters of her generation.
Parton also enjoyed a successful acting career, appearing in films including 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias. She later built a major business empire, most notably through Dollywood, the theme park in Tennessee that became one of the region’s leading tourist attractions.
Her influence extended into philanthropy and education. She founded the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, a literacy programme that provides books to children, and supported medical research, including a contribution that helped fund research connected to a COVID-19 vaccine.
Parton’s death comes after she acknowledged in recent days that she had been dealing with unspecified health problems. Despite those difficulties, she had indicated that she intended to continue working.
News of Parton’s death prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans, musicians and public figures, with many highlighting both her extraordinary musical career and her generosity.
For generations of listeners, Parton represented far more than country music. Her songs crossed musical and cultural boundaries, while her humour, business acumen and philanthropy helped turn her into one of America’s most enduring cultural figures.
She leaves behind a musical catalogue that has influenced generations of performers and a legacy that extends from Nashville’s country music scene to audiences around the world
Agencies
