The news of Dolly Parton’s death has been met with widespread heartbreak after the country music icon died at 80 following a “brief battle” with cancer.Miley Cyrus, Parton’s goddaughter, remembered her “Aunt Dolly” as an “angel,” saying, “I will always love her and want to make her proud.”“My heart breaks for the world, her family and friends who will miss her deeply,” Cyrus said. Everyone from Taylor Swift and Beyoncé to Eminem and Linda Ronstadt paid tribute to Parton, describing her as “the gift that kept on giving” and saying her legacy would be “an everlasting one.” Paul McCartney also remembered Parton, saying her songwriting, singing, and philanthropy were “unrivaled in the world of country music.”Parton’s nephew Bryan Seaver announced the news of her death saying: “Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus.” Her representative later confirmed that she had died at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, surrounded by loved ones.US president Donald Trump ordered flags to fly at half-staff in the US to honor Parton, writing: “This is a true loss for millions of people. There has never been anyone like her, and never will.” PinnedFull story: Country legend dies aged 80 after a brief battle with cancerHer death was announced by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, in an Instagram video posted Tuesday afternoon. The musician’s publicist confirmed Parton’s cancer diagnosis to the Associated Press later in the day, but did not give further details on her illness.“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the statement from her reps to People magazine read.“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.”Read on...Jacob Stolworthy & Kevin E G Perry26 August 2026 04:08In pictures: Fans mourn Queen of CountryDolly Parton fans attend a moment of silence at The Dolly Parton Statue in Sevierville, Tennessee on Wednesday (Getty Images)Parton fans visit a mural featuring her likeness in Chicago on Wednesday (Getty Images)A child shares her love for Parton in a handwritten note (Getty Images)Rachel Dobkin27 August 2026 06:00Miley Cyrus mourns godmother Dolly Parton: ‘I have an angel by my side’Miley Cyrus has paid tribute to Dolly Parton, her godmother and lifelong mentor, revealing that one of their final conversations was about “music and metamorphosis”.“The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share,” Cyrus wrote on Instagram. “Our most sacred moments were private and they’ll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts.” She added: “What I KNOW is Dolly would want me to feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong. I have an angel by my side. I always have.”Parton became Miley’s godmother in 1992 after growing close to Billy Ray Cyrus while they toured together during the success of “Achy Breaky Heart”. Parton later recalled that Billy Ray told her: “We’re having a girl, and you’ve got to be her godmother!”Their relationship became part of Cyrus’s public life when Parton appeared as “Aunt Dolly” on Hannah Montana. Cyrus has said her favourite episodes were the ones featuring Parton, telling Variety in March that “that’s how her and I became as close as we are”.They continued working together musically, including performances of “Jolene” at the 2019 Grammys and “I Will Always Love You” during Cyrus’s 2022 New Year’s Eve special. Parton also appeared on Cyrus’s “Rainbowland”, while Cyrus recorded “Wrecking Ball” for Parton’s 2023 album Rockstar. Their most recent collaboration came in January 2026, when Cyrus joined Parton, Reba McEntire, Queen Latifah, and Lainey Wilson on a new version of “Light of a Clear Blue Morning”.Cyrus ended her tribute: “I will always love her and want to make her proud.”Shahana Yasmin27 August 2026 05:50Dolly Parton built a business empire far beyond her musicDolly Parton turned the success of her music career into a sprawling business empire, retaining control of her songwriting while building ventures in tourism, hospitality, food, and entertainment.Parton’s fortune was estimated at $450m in 2025, with the largest share coming from her 50 per cent stake in Dollywood, according to Forbes. The 165-acre theme park in Pigeon Forge attracts around four million visitors a year.Parton also retained the rights to her songs, which allowed her to continue collecting royalties as they were recorded and performed.In June 2026, she opened Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop in Cornersville, Tennessee, a joint venture with longtime manager Danny Nozell and travel-stop operator Gregory H Sachs. A Nashville hotel and museum dedicated to her life are due to open in September, while her Cup of Ambition coffee line is also scheduled to launch nationwide.Several projects will continue after her death, including the Broadway musical, a forthcoming biopic, documentary series, and avatar show.Shahana Yasmin27 August 2026 05:30Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library gifted 325m books before her deathDolly Parton’s Imagination Library had gifted more than 325 million books to children by June 2026.The initiative began in 1995 with an order of just over 1,700 books, and Parton created it after seeing how her father’s inability to read and write had limited his opportunities. The programme initially served children in Sevier County before expanding across Tennessee and then internationally, reaching Canada in 2006, the UK in 2007, Australia in 2013, and Ireland in 2019.It reached its 100 millionth book in 2018 and its 200 millionth in 2023, before passing 300 million in November 2025. By June this year, more than 3.5 million books were being sent out every month.Each child receives one free, age-appropriate book every month from birth until they turn five, regardless of their family’s income.Parton once said that children calling her “the Book Lady” meant more to her than becoming a star.(Getty)Shahana Yasmin27 August 2026 05:15Jack White revives ‘Jolene’ in emotional Dolly Parton tributeJack White brought Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” back into his live set in London on Tuesday night, just hours after news of her death broke.Performing at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, White played his version of the 1973 country classic, which had been a fixture of the White Stripes’ early live shows. According to setlist.fm, Tuesday’s performance was the first time White had played the song live since 2007, the year the White Stripes announced their split.White had earlier posted a brief tribute to Parton on Instagram: “Instant Sainthood.”Shahana Yasmin27 August 2026 05:00I interviewed Dolly Parton – this is what she taught meThe Independent’s Music Editor Roisin O’Connor writes...I don’t often get nervous interviewing people, but Dolly Parton was someone I’d idolised since I was a child, driving my family crazy with off-key renditions of “9 to 5” and “Jolene”. Alongside my grandma and Shania Twain, she was one of the three big role models in my life. She was the queen of country music and so much more: a pioneer, a business genius, an exceptional songwriter and storyteller, a producer, a benefactor… in short: a one-of-a-kind woman. As someone who has often been made to feel as though I am “too much” – something I know many women will relate to – Parton seemed to exist to tell you to be more.O’Connor goes on to say...When I asked Parton how she wanted to be remembered, I thought she might say as a songwriter, as she had in previous interviews. Instead, she said she wanted to be remembered “as somebody who took her work serious, but not herself. Someone who brought books to children all over the world. For the fact that I managed to make a living doing something I love to do. And as a caring, giving, working girl.”Read on...I interviewed Dolly Parton – this is what she taught meThe queen of country has died aged 80, leaving behind a phenomenal legacy. Roisin O’Connor remembers interviewing her idol in 2023 and the lessons she taught her then and throughout her life, from leading with kindness to being ‘more’ when people try to tell you to be ‘less’Rachel Dobkin27 August 2026 04:45Grand Ole Opry dedicates Saturday show to Dolly PartonThe Grand Ole Opry will dedicate its Saturday night show to Dolly Parton, honouring a performer who had been part of the institution for more than five decades.Carly Pearce is among the artists scheduled to perform, bringing a particularly personal connection to the evening. Pearce began her career at Dollywood before Parton surprised her with an invitation to become an official Opry member in 2021.Minnie Pearl, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, and Roy Clark acknowledge applause after singing a song together during the end of the taping of 'The Grand Ole Opry at 50, A Nashville Celebration' (Reuters)The Opry has already begun honouring Parton, as Tuesday night’s show opened with Rhonda Vincent performing “Coat of Many Colors”, followed later by “9 to 5” and “Jolene”. Morgan Myles also performed Parton’s “I Will Always Love You”.The Opry’s marquee will remain dedicated to Parton through Saturday.Shahana Yasmin27 August 2026 04:30Rachel Dobkin27 August 2026 04:15Dolly Parton to be laid to rest beside husband Carl DeanDolly Parton will be laid to rest beside her late husband, Carl Dean, at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville, after a small private funeral for immediate family.The service is being held in accordance with Parton’s wishes, her representatives confirmed to People. “Dolly’s fans and friends from around the world are encouraged to pay tribute to Dolly on social media by tagging Dolly Parton or by leaving a message at www.dollyparton.com,” the statement read. “In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.”Parton and Dean were married for 58 years before his death in March 2025.Her nephew Bryan Seaver shared one of her more personal final wishes along with the news of death on Tuesday; she wanted to be buried in “a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to feel comfortable and have some rest”.Shahana Yasmin27 August 2026 04:00