Dolly Parton remembered as ‘true country music icon’

Dolly Parton has been remembered as a “true country music icon” following her death aged 80.The singer’s death was announced by her nephew Brian Seaver, who said sharing the news was “an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness”.Sir Paul McCartney paid tribute to the country star in a heartfelt post on Instagram describing Parton as a “magnificent star” and “wonderful woman” who he met at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, country music’s most well-known venue and where Dolly Parton first appeared at age 13.He said: “She was so bubbly and full of life it is difficult to take in the news that she has passed.“Her songwriting, her singing and her philanthropy were unrivaled in the world of country music and it is hard to imagine living in a world without Dolly.“She was a very clever business woman who understood the value of her music and, most importantly, the effect that she had on the people of the world. There was no greater honour for me than to have her sing my song Let It Be and, even though I only made a small contribution to it, I am so honoured that she did it. I am so proud to have known her and admire her unique talents.“Thanks Dolly for the beautiful music you gave me and the whole world. We will always love you, god bless and rest in peace. You were the best.”Beyonce, who worked with Parton on her 2024 album Cowboy Carter, said in a statement on her website: “Dolly, you were the barometer. The north star. Bold and brilliant. Talented and tenacious. You taught so many lessons on how to be uniquely oneself. I am grateful for your art, your heart, your generosity, your humor, your entrepreneurship.“I’m honored that I had the privilege to work with you. I will treasure that forever. Thank you for your profound impact on the world. You are an angel who has made this world a happier place because of your joyful art. You are truly one of one. Rest peacefully.”Popstar Sabrina Carpenter also paid tribute to the country star, who featured on the deluxe version of her song Please Please Please.She said in a post on Instagram: “I will cherish our laughter and conversations and I will keep your wisdom, your playful outlook on life, and perfect sense of humor in my pocket for the rainy days.“There will never be another you and how lucky are we all to have experienced your singular magic as well as your once in a lifetime voice, songs, and heart.“Your light will be something the world will search forever to find again. I will always love you.”Actress Julia Roberts paid tribute to her Steel Magnolias co-star, telling Page Six in a statement: “Dolly was a magical and joyous human. I hold knowing her as a treasure in my life. The sun has dimmed today.”Meanwhile fashion designer Donatella Versace wrote on Instagram: “The world has lost one of the kindest and most generous of souls, the greatest of story tellers and a true legend of music. So many lives were made better because of you. Thank you Dolly, for everything.”Read MoreThe Grand Ole Opry also paid tribute and said: “May her legacy live on through her songs, the lives she touched, and the countless artists she inspired. There will never, ever be another one like her. We will always love you, Dolly.”The Empire State Building tower lights will also honour the singer by tuning the lights to a “pink sparkle” at 9:25.Sharing a photo of them together, actress Lily Tomlin said she had “no words”, also sharing a broken heart emoji.The pair were lifelong friends, also starring in the 1980 film 9 To 5 alongside Jane Fonda.Singer Carole King said her “heart was breaking”. She wrote: “In addition to her musical talents, she was an exemplary human being.”Country singer and actor Billy Ray Cyrus said Parton recently messaged him to say that she “loved me with her whole heart” adding that he will “always” love her in the same way.Parton was also the godmother to his daughter, singer Miley Cyrus and appeared alongside the father-daughter duo on their Disney show Hannah Montana.He said: “Like every little boy, I grew up loving Dolly Parton. She was a part of our lives, on our TVs, right in our living rooms.“In 1992, I’ll never forget walking into her dressing room to apologise 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!'”Former US president Barack Obama said it was “hard to imagine many people having a bigger impact than Dolly Parton”.He wrote on X: “Born in a one-room cabin, she earned 11 Grammys and an Emmy, built a business empire, helped millions of kids learn to read, and — as if that wasn’t enough — helped accelerate the research that led to the Moderna COVID vaccine.“What a life. Michelle and I are thinking of Dolly’s family and her many, many fans.”Actress Jamie Lee Curtis added: “Thank you, Dolly. For all of it.”Country singer Reba McEntire made a personal tribute to her “buddy Dolly” and wrote on Instagram: “Your love, your music and you gave so much with your huge, huge heart. There will never ever be another you.McEntire added: “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 Dionne Warwick – who collaborated with Parton on the 2023 song Peace Like A River – said in a post on X and Instagram: “I will certainly miss her laughter, jokes and her being. Rest well and in total peace my friend. My heart is heavy.”In a series of online posts on X, country music star Kacey Musgraves shared: “Dolly. This really hurts. The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden. So glad she’s with her Carl Dean. No one talk to me today.”Fellow country singer Keith Urban shared: “Heartbroken today. Honestly… I have no words right now.”Seth Macfarlane, who worked with Parton on sci-fi comedy series The Orville, wrote that it was an “extraordinary” experience and said her “kindness, generosity, and authenticity” was evident from the beginning.Singer and actress Kristen Chenoweth, who recorded a version of I Will Always Love You with Parton in 2019, and said she is “heartbroken”, describing the singer has her “ultimate inspiration”.In 1986, Miss Piggy and Kermit appeared on her TV variety show, Dolly, with The Muppets’ official Instagram page also paying tribute.It shared: “She filled the world with light and we are so grateful for every second we got to spend with her onstage and off.”Actor Colman Domingo shared: “Dolly taught us that you can be anything and do anything and to do it with kindness. What a light. We are all grateful that we lived in a time of Dolly Parton. We will always love her.”Meanwhile, US Senator Bernie Sanders called her “one of the great entertainers of our era” but also “a lifelong philanthropist and advocate for literacy, education, LGBTQ+ rights, healthcare and disaster relief”.Rolling Stones frontman Sir Mick Jagger honoured the singer in a heartfelt tribute on Instagram including a photograph of the pair together.He said: “What a wonderful songwriter and singer Dolly was. She brought so many people together, we will all miss her so much.”Meanwhile TV presenter Oprah Winfrey said one of her fondest memories with Parton was “having a hoot and a holler while wearing Bob Mackie gowns on her show Dolly.”She added: “No one like her. She brought the light, and we are all better because she was here.”Actress Bette Middler said she was “devastated” and described Parton’s voice as “pure gold” with a “heart to match”.“I’m sure the nation will mourn her as I do, and for many years to come,” she added, “what a terrible, terrible loss”.Parton appeared on her sitcom Bette where the pair sang a rendition of her song Islands In The Stream.The Academy also paid tribute to the country star who was also a two-time Oscar nominee and was honoured with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian award last year for her “extraordinary compassion and generosity”.The caption read: “Few stars could light up a screen, tell a story through a song, or find their way into our hearts quite like Dolly Parton.“Dolly brought something entirely her own to everything she did. She was radiant on screen and in song; she could put a lifetime of feeling into just a few words. And through it all, there was a warmth to Dolly that made her feel wonderfully close to us.”