Dolly Parton passed away today at the age of 80, peacefully, in her home in Nashville. She was a remarkable person, generous to a fault and very kind.
Most people celebrate Dolly Parton for her music, which is timeless. But we celebrate her for her efforts to promote reading.
In 1995 Dolly Parton started the Imagination Library, which has by now gifted 332,411,218 books to children ages birth to 5. If you couldn’t afford books for your baby, Dolly would send them to you. All you had to do was register, and you too could read to your children before bed. Your kids didn’t have to miss out because you had to pick between buying books and keeping the lights on.
She has done more for literacy than anyone we know.
We wish that she hadn’t left us so soon.
Dolly was truly a National Treasure. Her light will be sorely missed.
An international treasure. Many of us outside the US are mourning today… and planning to find NINE TO FIVE tomorrow!!!!
What she said ☝️
Oh yes, so sorry for this loss. <3
Thank you dolly you made life richer now go join your family and you can rest you did enough
A remarkable legacy.
Sad. Dolly was so full of joy and it was genuine.
Dolly Parton was incredible in many ways. Today you have taught me of one more way, what a great legacy and equally great loss for us all.
A loss to the world.
May we all strive to be more Dolly.
Rest in power & song Dolly. You will be missed.
She was incredibly generous. We are all poorer with her passing.
What an amazing lady! Her loss will be truly felt especially by those eager to read and learn.
She will be sorely missed!
Such a great loss.
My grandson got her books. He was so excited to get mail just for him. Such a loss in so many ways.
Yet another person who can never be replaced is gone. My heart breaks for her family and friends but also for the rest of us, who will miss out on that bright, beautiful presence she radiated. You will forever be missed Dolly! ❤️🙏🏻
The Imagination Library was such a blessing to so many. Dolly was a true force for good
She was a treasure. A gifted, intelligent woman with a beautiful soul. She gave so much and influenced many. Thank you for highlighting this.
We lived in TN for three years and the impact she made in literacy for children was unmatched in any other area I ever lived in. She really cared about helping children learn to read. She was a phenomenal woman who did more than people realize to help end poverty.
2026 can get bent. Tired of seeing good people leave this mortal coil.
+1
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From the Dictionary: Exceptional means unusual, uncommon, or far better than average. Meanings and Uses Unusual or rare: Forming an exception to the rule; not regular or ordinary, exceptional, Superior quality: Much better than normal or outstanding in skill. That is Dolly in a nutshell. I am crushed. She was a wonderful person and she will be missed. I feel like some of the light has left the world.
R.I.P Ms Parton.
Her efforts touched far beyond our shores. Her donations were many and varied and she will be missed. She touched so many lives. People were crying in public when they shared the news. Literally. She was the closest thing to a living saint I have ever heard tell of. I pray for solace for her family.
She was a global icon, condolences to her family, the world has lost a remarkable woman. RIP Dolly.
She had a huge heart, and gave so much to help literacy. But I will always remember she sponsored reaearch for COVID-19 vaccine.
So sad. She saw a need and did something about it. I remember when Whitney Houston sang “I Will Always Love You” for the movie The Guardian with Kevin Costner. At the time not very people knew that song was written by Dolly Parton.
She will be missed. 🙁
Oops, it should have been the Bodyguard for the movie. Ugh! 🤦♀️
Dolly remembered seeing her father struggle with not being able to read and write and sometimes wondered if that held him back in life. So she started the Imagination Library to honor him.
A great person has left us. Time for someone else to step up.
Her commitment to literacy was truly an international gift. Since 2006 Canadian children could access books through her Imagination library. A truly generous soul has left us today
Dolly “Let [her] light shine in.” Terrible loss for us all. Her gift of books for children will provide a living legacy of this great woman.
She deserves being known for her championship of liberty and her other charitable work. Thank you for reminding us.
Dolly Parton was truly a remarkable and admirable woman. Her life, career, and many generous contributions to both music and society will be remembered for generations. I went to Dollywood, a well known amusement park in Tennessee. Dolly invested her time, experience , and money, into the place she grew up. A place that, today, is a beautiful place to visit and have fun in the Great Smoky Mountains.
She will be in my heart and prayers.
Thank you for posting about her passing.
This is so sad to see such a good person go.
Loved her music and her movies.
She will be greatly missed.
That’s an incredible legacy.
May Dolly’s example be followed by many other people! Grateful that she was so generous.
Books, music, and kindness. That’s a tremendous legacy.
She was brilliant. Her pithy comments were things of beauty. Plus an amazing humanitarian 💔
Ms. Parton was a true hero.
Philanthropist, artist, businesswoman and genuine and genuinely kind human.
She embodied the best of us.
In the end, her generosity and philanthropy, her investments in her East Tennessee roots, may well exceed her incredible contributions to American music.
Gone far too soon.. Requiesicat in pace Miss Dolly.
Amen to that. Her aid was practical.
Whenever we can spare the funds, we can all donate in her honor.
She helped fund the Covid vaccine research too.
I honestly think that Dolly Parton was one of the best people to ever walk the earth. She didn’t go around bragging about her charity work, either. We can all be inspired by her life.
The link to Dolly’s imagination library donations if interested: https://donate.imaginationlibrary.com/
Heard this news earlier today on a classic rock station. The DJ was in tears. Anybody who thinks grit and kindness don’t live in the same heart needs to look at Dolly’s life. She was a powerful model for both.
“A kingdom isn’t land or cities, it is people.“ Dolly knew this intimately and acted to uplift people throughout her life. She didn’t judge or try to push her views on others who might disagree with her. She just went ahead and helped people in whatever ways she could think of.
She grew up in a level of poverty that few of us can imagine today. She understood the struggles of the poor and took steps to break the generational cycle. She had vowed to do something to create economic prosperity for her home in The Great Smoky Mountains, so she created Dollywood theme park, which is now the biggest employer in that county and which funds her Dollywood Foundation, from which she created the Imagination Library and also to help fund disaster relief efforts.
In the early, desperate days of the COVID outbreak, she donated $1 million to Vanderbilt’s vaccine research, making her an early sponsor of the Moderna vaccine which has saved millions of lives. I’m sure there many, many more examples, of which we’ll never know.
As much as she clearly LOVED to entertain, I think she was equally proud to be able to give back. She was a humanitarian. She was a true class act.
Yes, and her commitment to diversity is what I also remember her for. Dolly was a real one. May she rest easy.
The funny thing about Dolly was she practiced diversity without having to say it,she lived into it by seeming to love everyone no matter who they were, she loved people. And she used her name and wealth to help people and the natural world too, she helped fund the American eagle Foundation who rescue the great raptors and rehab them but also educate people about them…yet she refused to do the kind of ego boosting charity you see,where people donate money to get their name on a library or hospital or whatever.
and she was someone who grew up poor who remembered that, and tried to help others. lot of those who grow up poor and then become well off do everything they can to forget it, associate with the well off and all that comes with that.
I think I also loved in an age of narcissists among the rich and famous and leaders ,she could laugh at herself. her famous line of ‘it costs a lot of money to look this cheap’ prob summed it up.
I am not necessarily a fan of her music, but I am glad she left behind music that ppl love.
She definitely will be missed. To quote Mark Twain, there are people whose obituaries I can read with pleasure…but there are people like Dolly where I truly grieve.
She was a light in this world, showing us a better way to live, through giving and service.
I actually cried a bit when I heard she passed. She donated books, but she also donated hope for many people.
Amen!! I made it today up until I watched the Mr Williams PreK skit about her and then lost it at the last line. I’m so sad she’s gone.
RIP. What a wonderful legacy
Dolly was a wonderful humanitarian. She will be missed.
I am in Turkey vacationing visiting my daughter coming from the USA. here just finding out the one and only Miss Dolly has left us!
this is devastating. She was one of my favorite singer , one I looked up to. I will miss her…her voice and and personality 😢 😪
Dolly was an smaxing person and a ray of sunshine in this world.
She broke barriers for women in the music industry
Amazing song writer and singer
Movie actress
Astute business woman. One article said she could have been a billionaire if she didn’t give so much away
Partnered with Herschend Family Entertainment to create Dollywood, a major economic driver in the area now in the hills of TN where she was from
Came from poverty but always said there was lots of love, humor and music in the family
Favorite quote: it costs nothing to be kind
She was as nice and kind off screen as on screen. Always on time, professional nd prepared.
donated hundreds of millions of dollars throughout her life to causes including children’s literacy, medical research, and disaster relief
her family is requesting donations to her Imagination Library in lieu of flowers
The world lost a ray of sunshine yesterday but the warmth and kindness she left behind will last a long time
Another Dolly quote that made me chuckle: “It takes a lot of money to look this cheap.”
She liked to laugh at herself and not take herself too seriously.
We were one of the families that Dolly’s foundation helped and we’re based in the UK. Those books are still on my grandson’s shelf. We honour that worldwide contribution and send condolences to her family.
💙💙💙
I hadn’t known about the books until my friend who recently had a daughter was showing me her first book from the scheme. were on the UK. such an amazing legacy.
May she rest in peace
I was stunned to learn about her incredible generosity when I was pregnant with our first child. I couldn’t believe it. Anselm received his 1st book with he was born and every month until he turned 5 years. Then his books became his baby sister’s. Early literacy exposure is absolutely vital and I helped me stay proactive reading to my kids and cultivate a love for stories. Dolly was a truly remarkable soul who inspired so many to be themselves and let others be themselves too without any need to be defensive or offensive. She never forgot the financial hardships and made things possible for thousands with her courageous compassion- she never was cruel even when others belittled her for her unapologetic self expression. She had the wittiest comebacks- she had to be a genius the way she could swing anything someone threw at her without batting an eyelash and her sparkle never dimmed. She was a woman in full command of herself without needing to control others or labeled as a “feminist” when she was asked by the press. I always respected her. She was a beautiful force for those without a voice- the poor, the earth, animals and children.
so sorry to hear about Dolly passing it came quite a shock for my husband and I.
We were in Nashville a few years ago and went to her home town of Seville
What a lovely lady I wish we had met her we went to pigeon ford.
God bless you dolly
Thankyou, she was an inspiring lady, I grew up under her music and you are right, with your lovely testament, (as she was so much more than music, though to that in itself is amazing). Dolly brought, love light, hope inspiration, confidence and imagination to so many. She was a leader in kindness and the impact she had surrounded the globe.. she will be missed but still for many she is immortal and will forever be there. Xx
I knew of her generosity during COVID and that she was an amazing person and guiding light throughout her life but I didn’t know this. Thanks for bringing it to the light. I will miss knowing she is in our world.
Sometimes it seems that generations go by too quickly. We mourn their passing. Death comes to everyone
May her legacy continue to benefit the world, and inspire many to follow her example.
💗😢😔🤗
Probably the only famous person that I have never heard anyone say something negative about. Talented, clever, ambitious, funny, and humble. If we could all be a bit more like her the world would be a much better place.
The book and Bald Eagle lady. She was a light in difficult times and gone too soon. While she will certainly be remembered, she will always be missed.
Dolly was a wonderful generous soul who will sorely missed 😢😢 RIP to unite with her husband.
Her Imagination Library has made a massive difference around the world.
An immense difference in Tamworth, NSW, Australia 💕💕
So often, people like me from Appalachia, are looked down on because of where we are from. People assume we are ignorant, poor, bigoted, that we are all meth addicts who live a rich life on government benefits.
Dolly did a lot to counter that narrative through her kindness. She bought Silver Dollar City and transformed it into Dollywood, which brings millions in tourist dollars into E. Tennessee. She built an entire workforce around Dollywood, and developed a scholarship for high school students in her home county. She helped people there after the 2016 fires. Her Imagination Library has been a boon to young children and their families.
Her music was beautiful, sweet and rich. Her voice was an angel’s. She offered love and acceptance to so many people. So many people benefitted from her love and good works. My heart is just crushed.
I weep for her loss. Such an amazing human being. And the very image of what a role model should be.
My son got his Dolly book yesterday in the mail. Such a wonderful and giving woman who will truly be missed.
I loved Dolly. She was talented and never forgot to reach back to those who she left at home. My cousin has a 5 year old who is sad. He didn’t know the country star or actress. He knew Dolly as the lady who sent him a book a year. I hope this program, putting books into kids hands, continues. You can never light that horde light too soon. My favorite part is the first book she sent was “The Little Engine That Could”.
If you donate to the imagination library you could see if your work has a match program. Mine did!
Well put, I will also miss Dolly. Astrid
She had the biggest loving heart. Her joy spilled out and embraced everyone. She was truly the person we should all be.
A great life, a real inspiration. Many of my happy memories have a Dolly Parton soundtrack in the background. Thank you DP I will remember you.
I was so sad and shocked to hear of her passing💔 Dolly was an amazing, talented, fun, humble, generous and genuine lady, who really cared about other people. She’s going to be missed all over the world. Sending love and prayers to her family🙏🤗💖
I was so sad to hear this news. She always seemed kind, generous, funny, intelligent, and able to laugh at herself. She will be missed.
Rest in the peace you deserve Miss Dolly, and my condolences to your family.
My great-grandbabies have books from her Imagination Library! My family is in mourning because this sweet, gentle heart is not beating any more.
I bet she’s visited an Inn. I don’t think just one universe could hold her light in.
❤️🩹
amen 🙏
Dolly was a wonderful person. She never changed who she was. Fame didn’t make a difference. She was still her. She was funny and loyal to her family and fans. She will be so missed. My Mom and Dad were fans so I watched her growing up. Everyone had a great deal of respect for her no matter who they were or genre they sang. Everyone loved her. She was a one of a kind.
She will be missed. All 3 of my kids got books from her program.
That is an amazing achievement, I didn’t know she did that.
She was a splendid lady and will be missed here on earth, though celebrated In HIS Repose.
When I woke up on Saturday, would have sworn it was to this announcement, then, tried to find her status before getting out of bed later than usual, so wasn’t totally surprised.
The family has asked that if you want to honor Dolly’s memory, please donate to the Imagination Library. Both my kids were recipients of the program. She started it for her Daddy’s sake as his deepest regret was that he never learned to read.
Dolly was a good person, thru and thru. Kind, optimistic, giving. She used her talents to bring people together. She will be missed, especially now, with all the divisions in our country and our world.
I love that she was 80 years old but we all feel like she left too soon. That is such a testament to the way she lived her life. She will be missed.
B. Dylan Hollis made Dolly’s banana pudding recipe on his vintage recipes YouTube channel, band it’s very sweet and respectful…
https://youtube.com/shorts/9-_DDXUNVuw?si=KXmZtbid584uYdIo
Dolly is such an inspiration to me. She practiced kindness, not judging, generosity, humility, and creativity. I will work every day to be a little bit more like her.
We need more Dolly’s in the world, not less… she will be missed. Let’s hope her legacy lives on and spreads around the world.
Ditto. To everything ……….
May the Lord God rest her soul. A legend in music and a beautiful soul.
We will always love you x
Dolly started an Imagination Library out here in the wilds of SoDak, an oh-so-forgetable place, a state most people simply overlook, where poverty runs rampant. Dolly was, is, and will always be a saint, a patron saint to so many underprivileged children who wouldn’t have access to books without her.
I love you, Dolly.
My children loved her books.
I hope you and Tim Curry are having fun up there, Dolly. I’m sure Carl is glad to be with you. Lots of love.
Brilliant— she brought light to the world. She accepted people for who they were— and herself. She broke so many barriers for women and championed equality in 9 to 5. She was loving and giving and funny and self-deprecating without ever being ashamed. Her passing is a huge loss. May her memory be a blessing
My deepest condolences and sympathy to her family and friends. I very much enjoy listening to her songs especiallly Jolene which deeply moved me from the first time I heard it.
I also enjoyed watching her play in the movies.
Finally the butterfly went flying in heaven where she can enjoy a good rest.
Deepest sympathy,
Thank you for sharing this. I had no idea about her reading advocacy but it doesn’t surprise me one bit. What a wonderful – person. RIP Dolly!
If I had to give an example of the most perfect human being, I would say Dolly. She was full of love and joy.
😔
We live in a state that doesn’t participate but my heart-sister lives in Nashville so we got some of those books as hand-me-downs. They were uniformly great.
It feels like we have so few bright spots left, losing her hurts my soul.
I hope efforts to remember Dolly on September 25th (9-2-5) each year becomes a reality. I’m trying to decide what bling I might wear that day (a rhinestone pin perhaps?) and what action I will do that day to support literacy, reading, bookstores, authors, etc. I hope you’ll consider doing the same.
Well said. And hers is a light that will never be dimmed. Thank all the sweet spirits for Dolly,
I was unaware of the Imagination Library until this post. Frankly, when you posted the number of children’s books Dolly Parton and her charity have given away to help kick-start literacy at a young age, I could hardly believe it! Over 332 MILLION free children’s books! That is truly mind-boggling. Especially when you remember that those books may be passed down in turn from child to child or family to family for decades.
If Dolly Parton had never done anything else in her lifetime, that alone would be an incredible legacy to leave behind. But of course, this was just a tiny fraction of her lifelong philanthropy and then there were all her other personal accomplishments in other fields.
House Andrews and ModR, I am aware that you often archive posts on this blog to remove outdated material and keep the blog size manageable. I think this particular post deserves to remain on the blog permanently.
My double fist pump and exclamation of “Yes!” scared my dog into giving me the stink eye and leaving the couch.
I am very chalant…very fluffy…there is no gaping void in my heart waiting to be filled by your next book in whatever universe.
Thank you HA!
My tears and prayers are for Dolly. Her beautiful voice will live on forever in my heart and hopefully will be played for us who will listen with love.
I avoided social media all week.My father was a huge fan, so I grew up with her music and movies. I named my pomeranian after her(Dolly your pardon) because she’s so sassy and sweet.
I know we all have a ticket for the here after, I just hate to see her go. It seemed like the world was a little dimmer this week without her light.
Her legacy will live on in all her good works and kindness. She was a true lady, with a heart of gold, and part of my life for as long as I can remember. I will miss her terribly.
hi. my deepest sympathy for Dolly’s passing. She was a very great lady of country music. i wish i could of met her.
<3
❤️😢