Dolly Parton on course for ‘huge’ milestone days after death

Dolly Parton’s fans are honouring her in many ways following her death (Picture: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) Dolly Parton could finally secure a huge milestone in her music career following her death. The country music icon and philanthropist died aged 80 on August 25, leading to an outpouring of grief from her fans around the world. Admirers of the Grammy-winning singer have been finding various ways to honour her this week, from leaving floral tributes outside her home to lighting landmarks such as the Empire State Building up pink and lowering all US flags to half-mast. And in the UK, thanks to a huge surge in posthumous streams and downloads, Parton is on course for her first-ever number one on the Official Singles Charts. The tune the nation has been playing on repeat is, of course, 9 to 5, which Parton originally released in 1980 for the cult classic comedy film of the same name and subsequent TV series. While 9 to 5 earned Parton an Oscar nomination and two Grammy wins in the States, it amazingly only peaked at 47 in 1981. 9 to 5 was originally released in 1980 for the comedy film of the same name, in which Parton starred (Picture: Pictorial/THA/Shutterstock) The cult classic also featured Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda (Picture: Moviestore/Shutterstock) But thanks to an astronomical 350% week-on-week increase, the anthem secured a brand-new peak on Friday, soaring to number 12. She’s on track to fly through the top 10 this week, landing the country legend a well-overdue chart-topper. That’s not all, either, as Parton’s 1974 hit Jolene also sits pretty at number two, while her Kenny Rogers duet, Islands in the Stream (1982), is at number six. Essentially, it’s quite rightly Dolly Domination in the UK charts as lovers of her music pay tribute after the devastating news of her death. Meanwhile, Parton’s 2007 compilation album The Very Best of Dolly Parton, which includes 20 of her most famous tracks, re-entered the Official Album Downloads chart at number one, too, for the first time in her career. As of this month, the record has sold over 740,000 copies in the UK, having surprisingly never even cracked the top 10 before. Amazingly, the country icon never had a UK number one while alive (Picture: Reuters) The closest Parton ever came to topping the Album Downloads chart was with her 2023 rock music record, Rockstar, which featured collaborations with Sir Elton John, Debbie Harry, and goddaughter Miley Cyrus and peaked at number two. But now The Best Of is reigning supreme, also topping the Official Country Compilations list and reaching a new feat of 12 in Official Albums Sales. Parton, also revered for her seemingly endless charity work and business ventures, died four days after she was hospitalised at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, recorded a video message to announce her death, as per Parton’s wishes, having served as her head of security for more than two decades. He later confirmed she died following a ‘brief battle’ with cancer. Parton’s health woes were well documented in recent months, as she admitted things got ‘out of whack’ and there were issues she overlooked while caring for her husband of almost 60 years, Carl Dean. She died on August 25, leading to an outpouring of grief (Picture: EPA) Parton’s cause of death was confirmed to be cancer (Picture: AP Photo/George Walker IV) She leaves behind an incredible discography comprising 49 albums (Picture: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for SXSW) Still, she maintained a cheery, optimistic front to her adoring fanbase, her final video message being shown at the launch of a new ride at her Dollywood theme park. ‘I’m supposed to be there in person, like we planned,’ Parton said. ‘I’ve had my butterfly wings flappin’ since May 15, when we were due to open the first time, and again in June.’ She added that her ‘little butterfly wings [were] getting kinda tired’, and she had been advised not to travel due to dizziness and dehydration. Parton died just days after the message was shared at the event. Then, a small funeral was held in private for her immediate family, as per her request, on August 28. She was laid to rest next to her husband, who died aged 82 in March 2025, in the mausoleum at Woodlawn Memorial Park. Confirming her burial, her niece, Lainey, penned an emotional tribute on Instagram, saying her Aunt Dolly ‘never made my dreams feel too big or made me feel like I couldn’t do something. She believed in me before I even knew how to believe in myself’. ‘It still doesn’t feel real that she’s gone. I’m going to miss her voice, her laugh, her hugs, and just knowing she was there. I’m even going to miss those 4 AM calls, and I’d give anything to see her name pop up on my phone again,’ she said. The Nashville funeral home also paid tribute to Parton online, saying her ‘rhinestone life shone bright enough for the world to see’. Arrow MORE: Bill Maher faces backlash over ‘bitter’ Dolly Parton tribute joke Arrow MORE: Busy Philipps, 47, shares intensive care pics after two secret brain tumour surgeries Arrow MORE: CNN apologises to Dolly Parton’s family after using photo of impersonator in death report