Celebrities react to death of Dolly Parton

"So glad she's with her Carl Dean," Kacey Musgraves wrote on social media.

Celebrities and politicians are offering their condolences following the death of country music superstar Dolly Parton , who died Tuesday at the age of 80.

President Donald Trump wrote on social media that he would be lowering the American flag for one week in honor of Parton, calling her death "a true loss for millions of people."

"There has never been anyone like her, and never will," Trump wrote.

"Dolly Parton: An American Original - A Special Edition of 20/20" airs Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 10 p.m. ET on ABC and streams the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.

"A world without Dolly doesn’t feel possible, real, or right. But because of the eternally generous way she spent her time on this earth and the countless lives she changed for the better, her legacy will be an everlasting one," Taylor Swift said in a lengthy statement.

"She was truly the gift that kept on giving. Dolly gave us someone to look up to while encouraging us to be who we are as individuals," the statement continued. "Somehow she was able to give us her lessons about the world gently and honestly, simultaneously, and oftentimes hilariously. She managed to give the world the ultimate mystery and fantasy in some corners of her life, but to give full transparency in the ways that counted. Somehow she was true grace and true grit, all in one dazzling person. She possessed the softest heart when it came to the struggles of others, and a backbone of steel to defend her own self worth as an artist."

Swift said she was grateful for Parton's music and philanthropy and saluted the music legend "For the tightropes she walked so that young girls like me could grow up dreaming of joining the circus too."

Beyoncé honored the "Queen of Country" in a heartfelt message shared on her official website .

"You were the barometer. The North Star. Bold and brilliant. Talented and tenacious. You taught so many lessons on how to be uniquely oneself," Beyoncé wrote. "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."

"You are truly one of one. Rest peacefully," she added.

Sabrina Carpenter, who collaborated with Parton on a version of "Please Please Please" from Carpenter's "Short n' Sweet" deluxe album, remembered Parton as "an angel walking the earth."

"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," Carpenter wrote on Instagram . "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," she added.

Jane Fonda, Parton's friend and co-star in the 1980 hit comedy "9 to 5," wrote on Instagram , "I am devastated."

"Dolly will always be with us because she was so present, so powerful, so generous and playful that she is woven into all our lives and hearts forever," Fonda wrote. "We have our memories of her, her songs, Dollywood, '9to5,' the millions of books she got into the hands of children, all the iconic images that bring her to us. And they are all blessings. Let's be grateful for all that she has left us to ease our sadness now."

"... To her gay and trans fans, I want you to know that she loved you," Fonda added. " ... And you know she doesn't want y'all to mourn now. Dress up and celebrate her spirit."

Lily Tomlin, Parton's longtime friend and her other "9 to 5" co-star, wrote on Instagram, "No words ... 💔."

The movie was Parton's big-screen debut, and she wrote and performed the film's chart-topping, Grammy-winning theme song.

Tomlin said at the 16th Annual Governors Awards in 2025 that the song "9 to 5" was "so much bigger than any singular theme song on a movie soundtrack," saying it "became an anthem for our culture of the time."

She added at the time that Parton's "humanitarian achievements are as staggering as her formidable singing career" and called her "one of the few people who remains in this world that everyone loves and respects."

Country singer Kacey Musgraves wrote on social media on Tuesday, "This really really hurts."

"The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden," Musgraves said, adding, "So glad she's with her Carl Dean."

Dean, who was Parton's husband of nearly 60 years, died last year at the age of 82.

Parton's fellow country singer and actress Reba McEntire wrote on Instagram, "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 will remember and cherish every memory and every note you ever played and sang," she continued. "... 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."

Former President Barack Obama reflected on Parton's life and wide-ranging impact in a statement on X .

"It's hard to imagine many people having a bigger impact than Dolly Parton," Obama wrote. "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," he added.

Former President George W. Bush also remembered Parton as both an entertainer and philanthropist.

"Laura and I, along with thousands of her fans, mourn the passing of Dolly Parton. We loved her music and her style. She was a great entertainer and even greater person," Bush said in a statement shared by the George W. Bush Presidential Center on X.

"We respected her work to promote literacy, advance health, and strengthen communities. Dolly was a talented and hardworking American who will be missed," he added.

Former President Bill Clinton described Parton as "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," he wrote in a statement. "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."

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton added, "Dolly Parton did all the good she could, for all the people she could, for as long as ever she could. From her legendary songwriting to the Imagination Library -- which sent 1 million books a month to children across the country -- she was the best of America. Dolly, we'll miss your great heart."

The Jacksons called Parton a "true trailblazer" in a statement on Instagram.

"Through her extraordinary talent, kindness and generosity, she opened doors and inspired generations around the world. We share this special memory from 1977, when we had the honor of meeting Dolly in England on the same day we also met Queen Elizabeth II," the Jacksons wrote alongside a carousel of images. "Thank you, Dolly, for the music, the joy and the light you shared with us all."

"Our prayers are with Dolly's family, friends and everyone whose life she touched. ... Your beautiful spirit and remarkable legacy will live on forever," the Jacksons said.

Comedian and actress Carol Burnett took to social media to reflect on one of her "favorite memories," taping the "Dolly & Carol in Nashville" special in Parton's home state of Tennessee.

"We shot the week of Thanksgiving and Dolly made individual turkey dinners for every one of us, that she cooked herself," Burnett said.