Dolly Parton remembered by fellow stars and politicians: "A true loss for millions"

Following Dolly Parton's death, fellow celebrities and politicians, including Billy Ray Cyrus and President Trump, mourned the country music legend and praised her as an icon whose legacy will never be forgotten.

Billy Ray Cyrus, whose daughter, Miley Cyrus, is Parton's goddaughter, paid tribute to Parton in an Instagram post and recalled a tabloid rumor that had bonded them.

"I have so many moments and memories with Dolly, it's hard to know where to start," Billy Ray Cyrus wrote. "In 1992, I'll never forget walking into her dressing room to apologize for all the tabloid stories which claimed I was having an affair with her. In true Dolly fashion, she just looked at me, winked and said, 'Honey, this trash sells records!'"

"Dolly recently sent me a beautiful message, telling me she loved me with her whole heart. I will always love her in the same way ….. with my whole heart … and I always will," he added.

Parton died Tuesday at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, Tennessee, after "bravely facing a brief battle" with the disease, her spokesperson said in a statement. 

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."

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."

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 on Tuesday at 9:25 p.m. lit up in pink as a tribute to the late "9 to 5" singer. 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

Blake Shelton, who worked with Parton on "The Voice," shared on Instagram that he's also feeling the same sadness that everyone who knew and loved Parton feels.

"I can say with absolute certainty that we are all feeling the same heart brokenness today," Shelton said. "I want everyone to know that she was the EXACT person that you think she is. It was like being with the funnest, most loving, most caring and closest member of your family. Truly a loss for the entire world. We love you Dolly."

Fellow country music legend Reba McEntire, who was friends with Parton, also 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.

Taylor Swift said in a statement that "a world without Dolly doesn't feel possible, real, or right. But because of the eternally generous way she spent her time on this earth and the countless lives she changed for the better, her legacy will be an everlasting one."

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.

Cher told CBS News Parton "just had a spirit, and it was a spirit that was always thinking the best was happening. The best was going to happen. You know: Her friends loved her. Her life was good. That's who she was."

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.