RismadarVoice Reporters, August 26, 2026
Tributes have continued to pour in from around the world following the death of Dolly Parton, with entertainers, politicians, fans and beneficiaries of her philanthropy celebrating her extraordinary life and legacy.
Parton’s death brought together voices from across generations and musical genres. Country stars including Reba McEntire, Kacey Musgraves, Linda Ronstadt and George Strait paid tribute, while celebrities such as Mick Jagger, Dionne Warwick, Pink, Lily Tomlin, Keke Palmer, Kelly Clarkson, Jeff Bezos and the Muppets also expressed their grief.
McEntire described Parton as her friend and said there would “never be another” like her.
President Donald Trump ordered U.S. flags lowered for a week in Parton’s honour, saying there had never been anyone like her and never would be. Former President Bill Clinton praised her as a remarkable songwriter and performer who remained connected to her East Tennessee roots.
Her influence extended far beyond country music. Gene Simmons of KISS described Parton as a kind and generous person, while longtime friend and 9 to 5 co-star Lily Tomlin shared an emotional tribute.
Parton’s role in 9 to 5 also prompted recognition of her contribution to conversations about women’s equality in the workplace. National Organisation for Women President Kim Villanueva said Parton encouraged women to embrace who they were and stand up for their values.
Much of the mourning has focused not only on Parton’s music and acting career but also on her extraordinary philanthropy.
Her Dollywood Foundation established the Imagination Library, which provides books to children around the world. The programme was inspired partly by her father, who could not read.
The Library of Congress described Parton as a “titan of children’s literacy” and highlighted her donation of the programme’s 100 millionth book to its collection.
Her charitable work also extended to medical research. In 2020, Parton donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Centre to support early-stage COVID-19 vaccine research. The contribution helped fund research that became part of the development of the Moderna vaccine.
She later encouraged vaccination by publicly receiving the shot and adapting her famous song Jolene into a playful “Vaccine” version.
Parton was also recognised for her humanitarian work, receiving the Motion Picture Academy’s Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award last year.
‘The show must go on’
Her beloved Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is scheduled to reopen Wednesday despite her death.
In a statement, the park said it would continue operating in the spirit of Parton’s philosophy that “the show must go on”, while carrying forward her message of love, perseverance and hope.
For many admirers, that combination of extraordinary talent, humility and generosity is what made Parton unique.
Her songs made her a global superstar, but her books, scholarships, charitable giving and support for communities ensured that her influence reached far beyond the stage.
As one tribute captured the mood around the world: there may never be another Dolly.
