A small, private service will be held for immediate family, according to a statement.
Dolly Parton’s family is asking fans to honor the late country music icon by supporting the charitable legacy she built over decades.
Following Parton’s death at age 80, her family said those wishing to pay tribute can share messages online by tagging @DollyParton on social media or leaving a note on her website. In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the literacy program that has provided hundreds of millions of free books to children.
A small, private service will be held for immediate family, according to the statement announcing Parton died peacefully Tuesday in Nashville, Tennessee.
Parton’s nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in a video posted to the singer’s official online accounts. “Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus," he said.
As fans began sharing memories of Parton’s music, humor and generosity online, tributes from fellow entertainers also began to emerge. Lily Tomlin, who starred alongside Parton in the 1980 film “9 to 5,” shared a black-and-white photo of the pair in their younger years and wrote, “No words.”
Actress and lifelong friend Jane Fonda, who also starred in "9 to 5," shared an emotional Instagram post about Dolly Parton's passing, writing, "I am devastated. I just learned that Dolly has moved on.
She ended her tribute post with a message to members of the LGBTQ+ community, to whom Parton has been a long-time advocate and ally.
"To her gay and trans fans, I want you to know that she loved you. You know that without me telling you."
Fonda also told fans to "dress up and celebrate her spirit," in honor of Parton's passing.
Kacey Musgraves was among the first country stars to pay tribute, writing that Parton’s death “really hurts” and that the world “feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden.”
“So glad she’s with her Carl Dean,” Musgraves added, referring to Parton’s husband of nearly 60 years, who died in 2025. “No one talk to me today.” Musgraves wrote on X.
Reba McEntire, another country music legend, paid tribute to the fellow musician and thanked Parton for "all the wonderful things you did for us here on Earth."
"There will never ever be another you. We will remember and cherish every memory and every note you ever played and sang," she wrote on Instagram. "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."
Maren Morris shared a throwback video of her singing with Parton and wrote, “There will never be another. @dollyparton was who we could all agree on. she was and is such a light.”
President Donald Trump requested American flags across the country be flown at half-staff for one week in her honor.
"This is a true loss for millions of people. There has never been anyone like her, and never will," he wrote on Truth Social.
“Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience,” her family said. “Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact.”
Billy Ray Cyrus, one of Parton's longtime friends and musical collaborators, posted to Instagram about Parton's passing.
"I have so many moments and memories with Dolly, it’s hard to know where to start. Like every little boy, I grew up loving Dolly Parton. She was a part of our lives, on our TV’s, right in our living rooms," Cyrus wrote.
Cyrus and Parton had an especially close bond, and Parton is the godmother of Cyrus' daughter Miley Cyrus, a musician and actress.
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton posted about her death on X, calling her a "one of a kind—a great songwriter and performer who told the stories of everyday Americans with honesty, humility, and heart."
"She rose high from her East Tennessee roots and never forgot where she came from. And she always believed in giving back, especially in her efforts to promote literacy. Hillary and I were big fans and first saw her in 1974, and will always be grateful for the music and the memories. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, her legion of fans, and everyone who loved her," he wrote.
Singer-songwriter Blake Shelton also posted to social media, writing, "I can say with absolute certainty that we are all feeling the same heart brokenness today." Shelton and Parton worked together on The Voice in 2023 and shared a photo of the two together on the set.
"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."
Actress Julia Roberts, who starred alongside Dolly Parton in “Steel Magnolias,” also paid tribute to the star: “Dolly was a magical and joyous human. I hold knowing her as a treasure in my life. The sun has dimmed today.”
Jeff Bezos, businessman and former president and CEO of Amazon, also sent his condolences to Parton's family on social media, writing, "Dolly spent her whole life showing us what it means to lead with love. Lauren and I are so grateful to have known her."
