Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has announced plans to name Nashville International Airport after Dolly Parton, following the death of the 80-year-old country music star, actress and philanthropist last week.
The news comes after thousands of fans signed an online petition to rename the airport after Parton, who was born in rural Tennessee and later moved to Nashville.
Lee said in a statement that he had spoken to Parton's team, who "expressed their appreciation for the extraordinary outpouring of support to honour Dolly".
"Dolly Parton's extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state," he said. "At a place where Tennessee welcomes the world, it is fitting that Nashville International Airport would bear the name of our state's favourite daughter and greet travellers with the enduring legacy of Dolly's music, generosity, faith and kindness.”
The Change.org petition to rename the airport was originally launched in January 2025, but gained fresh momentum following Parton’s death. It has gathered over 170,000 signatures as of writing.
