Dolly Rebecca Parton
19 January 1946 — 25 August 2026
The Queen of Country Music
It is with a full and grateful heart that we honour Dolly Parton, who passed away on 25 August 2026 at the age of 80.
Born in a one-room cabin in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, Dolly grew from the Smoky Mountains into the most beloved voice in country music — and one of the most loved people on earth. In a single afternoon in 1973 she wrote both “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You”; she gave the world twenty-five number-one country hits, eleven Grammy Awards, and a catalogue of songs that became the soundtrack to millions of lives.
But Dolly's greatest songs were her deeds: the Imagination Library, which has gifted more than 250 million books to children; Dollywood, which lifted an entire region; scholarships, wildfire relief, the research funding that helped create a COVID-19 vaccine, and a kindness so constant it felt like weather.
She taught us that you can be glittering and gracious, outrageous and humble, a rhinestone superstar and a neighbour — all at once. Her voice, her laughter, and her heart will echo forever.
Rest in peace, Dolly. The world will always love you. 💜❤️
“If you see someone without a smile, give them yours.”— Dolly Parton
💜 A Personal Dedication
Dolly, you were my idol — the greatest artist, the brightest soul, the Queen of Country. Your music carried me, your kindness taught me, and your light will never dim for me. You are forever in my heart, every single day.
Her enduring legacy
- Jolene, I Will Always Love You, 9 to 5, Coat of Many Colors — songs for the ages.
- 11 Grammy Awards · 25 No.1 country singles · 100+ million records sold.
- The Imagination Library — 250 million books given to children worldwide.
- Dollywood — a theme park that employs and uplifts her home region of East Tennessee.
- A philanthropist to the end: education, healthcare, disaster relief and pure, unstoppable kindness.
Photograph: Dolly Parton — RCA Records press photograph, 1970. Public domain — free of copyright, no attribution required, and freely usable for this memorial. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Memorial published 26 August 2026 by Caring for No 1 · Darren Houston Limited.