Dolly Parton Dies at 80 After Brief Battle With Cancer

Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and Jane Fonda were among those who paid tribute following the death of Dolly Parton, the beloved country music icon, philanthropist and actress, who died at 80, Dylan Stableford, Mike Bebernes, Kaitlin Reilly and Jasmine Andersson reported for Yahoo Entertainment.

Dolly Parton, the country music legend, died at 80 after a brief battle with cancer. [Photo: Dolly Parton Facebook]

Parton died after “bravely facing a brief battle with cancer,” her publicist, Marcel Pariseau, said in a statement, adding that the singer was surrounded by loved ones at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.

Bryan Seaver, Parton’s nephew and head of security for more than two decades, had earlier announced her death on Instagram on Tuesday.

“Dolly opened doors for singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers from every walk of life,” he said. “By her example, we believed anything was possible.”

Taylor Swift said in a statement that “a world without Dolly doesn't feel possible, real, or right.”

Beyoncé, who collaborated with Parton on her 2024 album Cowboy Carter, said, “Dolly, you were the barometer. The north star,” and hailed her as “bold and brilliant” and “talented and tenacious.”

Others who paid tribute included Sabrina Carpenter, Kacey Musgraves, Dionne Warwick and Céline Dion. Jane Fonda, Parton’s co-star in 9 to 5, also paid tribute, recalling her as a lyricist, singer, musician, writer, prankster, visionary and loyal friend.

Tributes also came from the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Eminem, Carol Burnett, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and numerous other artists, public figures and organizations.