Miley Cyrus leads tributes to Dolly Parton
Celebrities and world leaders mourn Dolly Parton after her death at age 80, with Miley Cyrus calling her 'an angel by my side' and highlighting her philanthropy and musical legacy.
Miley Cyrus, whose godmother was Dolly Parton, posted an emotional tribute on Instagram, calling her 'an angel by my side' and saying she would always love her and want to make her proud.
Dolly Parton died on Tuesday at the age of 80 after a brief battle with cancer, her team confirmed in a statement.
Parton is known for iconic songs including Jolene, 9 to 5 and I Will Always Love You, and was also a philanthropist who helped fund one of the first Covid-19 vaccines and poured millions into improving children's literacy.
Cyrus added that their most sacred moments were private and would stay behind the stage, beneath the glamour and between their hearts, and that Parton would want her to feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong.
Billy Ray Cyrus, her godfather's close friend and Cyrus's father, remembered Parton as being part of their lives, on their TVs, right in their living rooms, and said he grew up loving her.
He recounted a time when he had to apologise to Parton for tabloid rumours which claimed they were having an affair, and said in true Dolly fashion, she just looked at him, winked and said: 'Honey, this trash sells records!'
Taylor Swift, who began her professional career in country music as a teen in Nashville, paid tribute to Parton's 'true grace and true grit, all in one dazzling person', saying a world without Dolly doesn't feel possible, real, or right, and that her legacy will be everlasting.
Swift acknowledged the millions of books Parton provided children all over the world so that they might fall in love with stories the way she did, and thanked her for the tightropes she walked so that young girls like her could grow up dreaming of joining the circus too.
Sir Paul McCartney reflected on his history with Parton, which began when he met her in Nashville at the Grande Ole Opry just before she started her solo musical career, saying she was so bubbly and full of life it is difficult to take in the news that she has passed, and that her songwriting, singing and philanthropy were unrivaled in the world of country music.
Sir Elton John said he was shocked and devastated by the news, calling her a giant of an artist, unique and irreplaceable, with the kindest heart.
Beyoncé said Parton was the barometer and the North Star, bold and brilliant, talented and tenacious, and that she taught so many lessons on how to be uniquely oneself, and thanked her for her art, heart, generosity, humour, and entrepreneurship.
Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé's 2024 country album, famously featured a rendition of Parton's song Jolene.
Sabrina Carpenter, who collaborated with Parton in 2025 on a country-inspired version of her hit Please Please Please, posted that the only thing she could say after they first met was 'she really is an angel walking the earth' and 'we look like we could be sisters!', and added that her light will be something the world will search forever to find again.
Katy Perry, who performed with Parton several times, described her as a pure, sweet (but not saccharine) sassy, cup of joy, and said she was an example of a woman who defied the stereotypes for decades, proving that big boobs, big brains, and a big voice can all exist in one tiny body, and that the biggest thing about her was her heart.
Eminem noted that while he had never met Parton, she made her mark on his life by sending him a note when he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame calling him 'very special', saying he was sorry they never got a chance to meet but that her note had an impact on him, and that even for a kid who mostly listened to rap music, she was an icon and a superstar in every sense.
Jack White, who famously covered Jolene, called for her to receive an instant sainthood.
Sir Rod Stewart said he was absolutely floored, and Sir Mick Jagger called her a wonderful songwriter and singer who brought so many people together.
Celine Dion described Parton as pure light, with a kind heart and a generous spirit, and said they would now be missing one of the most joyful voices this world has ever known, thanking her for the music, the laughter, and the love she gave them all.
Kacey Musgraves, who performed in a 2019 Grammys celebration of the singer, said the world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden.
Reba McEntire thanked Parton for all the wonderful things she did for us here on earth, saying her love, music and huge huge heart meant there will never ever be another you.
Jane Fonda, who co-starred alongside Parton in the film 9 To 5 in 1980, said she was devastated, and said Parton was simultaneously a naughty, playful southern gal from the hollows of Tennessee and a deep, soulful thinker who could see through people right down to their true selves.
Oprah Winfrey wrote that this girl from the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee dreamed a life and then lived a life bigger than she could have ever imagined, giving so generously to others in ways we saw and ways we didn't.
Tributes have also been paid by US presidents past and present.
Donald Trump called her death a true loss for millions of people, adding that there has never been anyone like her, and never will, and ordered American flags across the US to be lowered in her memory, a rare honour mostly reserved for elected leaders and other officials in the US government.
He said Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you.
Former US President Bill Clinton called Parton one of a kind - a great songwriter and performer who told the stories of everyday Americans with honesty, humility, and heart, and noted that while her star grew, she never forgot where she came from and always gave back through her philanthropic efforts.
Barack Obama said it was hard to imagine many people having a bigger impact than Dolly Parton.
In London, Buckingham Palace guards played a military rendition of 9 to 5 in honour of her, and the Royal Family wrote that they were remembering the late, great Dolly, who brought joy, comfort and inspiration to so many - including the millions of children given free books through her Imagination Library.
Parton had been struggling with health issues recently, which in May saw her cancel a highly anticipated Las Vegas residency that was due to start next month, citing a longtime struggle with kidney stones and saying she had been responding really well to meds and treatments and improving every day.
In typical Dolly style, she joked that she couldn't be dizzy carrying around banjos, guitars and such on five-inch heels - and you know that I'm going to be wearing them.
Parton has died nearly 18 months after the passing of her husband, Carl Dean, whom she was married to for more than 60 years, but they did not have any children.
She died at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville surrounded by loved ones, her spokesperson said, but did not give details of her condition.
