Following Dolly Parton’s death, fellow celebrities and politicians, including President Trump, mourned the country music legend and praised her as an icon whose legacy will never be forgotten.
Mr. Trump said in a social media post on Tuesday, “There has never been anyone like her, and never will,” announcing that he would be “lowering the American flag” throughout the United States for one week in Parton’s honor.
“This is a true loss for millions of people,” the president wrote. “Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you.”
The flag lowering will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Mr. Trump said.
CBS News will celebrate Parton’s life with a one-hour primetime special airing Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on the CBS Television Network and streaming on Paramount+.
Politicians mourn the loss of Dolly Parton
Condolences and remembrances for Parton poured in after her nephew, Bryan Seaver, who was his aunt’s head of security, announced her death in a prerecorded video posted to social media.
“It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness, but sadness lies with us, not with Dolly,” Seaver said. “Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus.”
Both senators from Tennessee, where Parton was born on Jan. 19, 1946, reacted on social media and called her death a great loss to the state.
“Tennessee has lost one of its greatest legends- a woman who never lost sight of her faith, her roots, or the Volunteer Spirit. [Dolly Parton] was a true Tennessee treasure, and her legacy will forever be defined by her love of faith, family, and the place she proudly called home,” Republican Sen. Bill Hagerty said.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn posted a photo of her and Parton together, writing, “There are no words to adequately express the sorrow our family and indeed, all Tennesseans, feel in the loss of Dolly Parton. An iconic leader who loved our great state and nation. Her passing leaves a void that no one can ever fill. Dolly, we will always love you.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont, highlighted Parton’s accomplishments beyond her music career as a philanthropist who advocated for a variety of causes.
“She was not only a talented musician & songwriter, but a lifelong philanthropist and advocate for literacy, education, LGBTQ+ rights, healthcare and disaster relief,” Sanders said. “Her music and humanity touched millions. She will be sorely missed.”
To honor her father, who never learned to read, Parton founded the Imagination Library in Sevier County, Tennessee, in 1995 and gave 1,700 free books to children in the first month, according to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
In 2018, Parton visited the Library of Congress to donate the Imagination Library’s 100 millionth book and hosted a story time event. The book-gifting program is now in 50 states and has spread to Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and the Republic of Ireland.
“In Kentucky, she shared her love of reading through her Imagination Library, sparking brighter futures for thousands of children across our commonwealth,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said. “There aren’t enough words to sum up the impact and legacy Dolly leaves behind, but it is clear that it will continue for generations to come.”
The Empire State Building will pay tribute to Parton Tuesday night by lighting up in pink. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani called Parton’s death “heartbreaking.”
“Dolly Parton was an extraordinary person and an irreplaceable champion of the working class. We are a better country because of her,” he said.
Country and Hollywood stars remember Dolly Parton
Fellow country music legend Reba McEntire, who was friends with Parton, reacted in a social media post, thanking Parton 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,” she said. “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.”
Singer Linda Ronstadt, who collaborated with Parton and Emmylou Harris on the “Trio” albums, expressed her condolences in a post on Facebook, saying, “I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend, Dolly Parton.
“One of the most extraordinary musical experiences of my life was recording with her. The world is a poorer place without her,” Ronstadt said.
Country music star Kacey Musgraves fired off several X posts in reaction to Parton’s passing on Tuesday.
“The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden,” Musgraves said. “So glad she’s with her Carl Dean. No one talk to me today.”
Fellow “Steel Magnolias” actor Julia Roberts remembered Parton as “a magical and joyous human.”
“I hold knowing her as a treasure in my life. The sun has dimmed today,” Roberts said.
Parton was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025 at the age of 82.
The couple met in 1964, when they ran into each other outside the Wishy Washy Laundromat on the first day Parton had moved to Nashville. He swept her off her feet, as Parton later described it, and the couple married two years later.
“Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years,” Parton said at the time of his death.
