Post Summary
The legendary singer/songwriter/actress/philanthropist Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80. Her family confirmed the news via her social media accounts with the following video.
She passed away peacefully in Nashivllle, Tennessee on Tuesday. There had been several cancelations over health issues starting last year in September when she postponed a series of Las Vegas concerts. She also had to cancel an appearance at the Governors Awards and other Las Vegas residency dates this May. Dolly’s husband, Carl Dean, passed away at the age of 82 last March.
Dolly was the personification of the American Dream. She had a rough childhood, growing up poor with 11 brothers and sisters in a one-room mountain cabin before becoming one of the most recognizable icons in modern history. She achieved global superstardom with hit songs, movies, eye-catching costumes, and of course, arguably her most important work, her philanthropy.
You’ve probably heard at least one of her hits throughout your life with “Jolene”, “9 to 5”, or “I Will Always Love You”. Whitney Houston’s version of the song catapaulted it into the top charts, becoming the best-selling single by a female recording artist ever.
Beyond her music career, Dolly was also an actress, starring in films like The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, Steel Magnolias, and 9 To 5. Her work on that film’s soundtrack earned her the first of her two Oscar nominations.
A Life Of Music And Charity And Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Dolly wasn’t just a star in front of the camera, she was a force behind it as a producer as well. Her company Sandollar Productions were behind Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and dozens of other productions through her life. She made the Imagination Library, which is a place where young people can have access to books and inspiring a love of reading for youth. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting books free of charge to children from birth to age five, through funding shared by Dolly Parton and local community partners in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and Republic of Ireland.
Dolly is survived by her family members Willadeene, Coy, Robert Jr., Stella, Cassie, Freida and Rachel. She and Dean never had any children.
Fans who want to remember her can make donations to Imagination Library. You can also pay tribute to her online by tagging her accounts @DollyParton.
RIP Dolly.
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