Tributes poured in Tuesday for singer-songwriter, musical legend and business tycoon Dolly Parton, who died Aug. 25 at age 80.
Parton’s nephew Bryan Seaver announced her death on behalf of the Parton and Owens families in a video posted to Parton’s Instagram account. Seaver, who served as Parton’s head of security for more than two decades, said his aunt had asked him years ago to make the announcement when the time came.
As news of her death spread, country artists, actors and other celebrities shared tributes on social media, remembering Parton for her music, kindness and the impact she had on their lives.
Reba McEntire remembered her longtime friend with a heartfelt message of gratitude.
Well, I just got the news that my buddy Dolly passed onto the higher and greater side.
Dolly, thank you 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… pic.twitter.com/qpbvKUNbiM— Reba McEntire (@reba) August 25, 2026
“Well, I just got the news that my buddy Dolly passed onto the higher and greater side,” McEntire wrote on X. “Dolly, thank you 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.”
McEntire also reflected on the first time she met Parton and their final conversation, signing off with the title of one of Parton’s most famous songs.
“I’ll never forget the first time I met you and I’ll never forget our last conversation,” McEntire wrote. “I hold it with love in my heart. I will always love you, Reba.”
Sabrina Carpenter, who collaborated with Parton on a new version of her hit “Please Please Please” in 2025, recalled her first impression of the country legend.
“The only thing I could say after we first met was ‘she really is an angel walking the earth’ and ‘we look like we could be sisters!’” Carpenter wrote on Instagram.
Carpenter said she would cherish their laughter and conversations, as well as Parton’s wisdom, playful outlook on life and sense of humor.
“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,” Carpenter wrote. “Your light will be something the world will search forever to find again. … I will always love you.”
Reese Witherspoon shared a memory of how Parton helped her prepare to play country singer June Carter Cash in the 2005 film “Walk the Line.”
“I count my lucky stars that I called Dolly my friend,” Witherspoon wrote on Instagram. “When I was playing June Carter Cash in Walk the Line, she took me to dinner and told me stories of how June Carter charmed everyone in country music.”
Witherspoon said Parton gave her the courage to “put my whole spirit into that performance” and continued sending her notes of encouragement throughout her career, reminding her to be a light in people’s lives and to listen to her angels.
The notes, Witherspoon said, were always signed: “I will always love you.”
“Dolly, I miss you already,” Witherspoon wrote. “Your talent, your wisdom and your beautiful spirit lit up our lives. Go soar with your angels…. We will always love you.”
Kelly Clarkson remembered Parton for the way she made those around her feel.
Dolly Parton had a way of making everyone feel special, and seen, and welcomed, and as if you were old friends. I will miss her heart and her voice as I am sure millions will. What an incredible gift and talent she was and still is with an amazing catalogue of art she has left… pic.twitter.com/swUmwRG0XJ
— Kelly Clarkson (@kellyclarkson) August 25, 2026
“Dolly Parton had a way of making everyone feel special, and seen, and welcomed, and as if you were old friends,” Clarkson wrote on X. “I will miss her heart and her voice as I am sure millions will.”
Clarkson went on to call Parton an “incredible gift and talent” and celebrated the vast catalog of music she left behind.
Blake Shelton shared a personal memory of Parton, recalling the time he and Gwen Stefani spent with her while working together on “The Voice.”
“I want everyone to know that she was the EXACT person that you think she is,” Shelton wrote on X. “It was like being with the funnest, most loving, most caring and closest member of your family.”
Shelton called Parton’s death “truly a loss for the entire world,” adding, “We love you Dolly.”
I can say with absolute certainty that we are all feeling the same heart brokenness today. I only got to spend any real time with Dolly when Gwen and I got to work with her on The Voice. I want everyone to know that she was the EXACT person that you think she is. It was like… pic.twitter.com/9ycD4lSpO9
— Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) August 25, 2026
Country singer Trace Adkins also reflected on the widespread grief surrounding Parton’s death.
“It is indeed rare for the world, collectively, to express sorrow for someone’s passing,” Adkins wrote on X. “I knew her to be the angel that they think she was, and I’ll miss her. Dolly, I’ll always love you.”
Paris Hilton said she was “heartbroken” by Parton’s death and remembered the country legend as both an icon and an inspiration.
“She was a true icon and such an inspiration to me,” Hilton wrote on X. “Her talent, heart and kindness touched so many lives, and she truly left this world better than she found it.”
Actor and comedian Rob Schneider praised Parton as “a giant talent” and “one of the greatest entertainers of all time,” while also remembering the person behind the music.
“But most importantly, a generous, kind and loving human being,” Schneider wrote on X. “Blessed to be alive at the same time as Dolly Parton.”