Dolly Parton Death

Jelly Roll bid a fond farewell to the great Dolly Parton ... saying she might be the last universally beloved American we ever see.

The singer-songwriter is guest-hosting on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" ... and on Tuesday night he brought up Dolly's passing in the middle of his monologue ... noting that we lost a "legend" and an "inspiration to so many."

The broadcast showed a photo of Dolly and Jelly Roll together ... and he reflected on going from sitting around the kitchen table with his family and listening to her music as a kid -- to actually learning songwriting skills and business tips from her as an up-and-coming artist.

Dolly Parton fans are playing her music as they mourn her death ... her iconic single "Jolene" jumped to the No. 1 spot on Apple Music's U.S. songs chart.

The popular song was released in October 1973, ahead of her 1974 album of the same name, and instantly became a hit that's been covered across multiple genres over the years. Dolly and her famous goddaughter Miley Cyrus even covered it together -- the first time was back in July 2010 for Dollywood’s 25th-anniversary celebration.

Miley has yet to publicly memorialize Dolly after her death Tuesday, but celebs from all corners of the entertainment industry celebrated her life and legacy upon hearing the sad news ... from Eminem to President Donald Trump and beyond.

Dolly Parton died following a brief battle with cancer ... TMZ has confirmed.

Parton’s reps said in a statement to TMZ ... she was surrounded by loved ones at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville when she died.

Her reps say Dolly spent her life bringing "joy, laughter, hope and integrity" to everything she touched, and point to her enormous generosity through Imagination Library and her support of medical research.

They add her unconditional love for others was the driving force behind the lasting impact she leaves behind.

The icon died Tuesday at 80 ... and the news hit especially hard because, as TMZ reported, her death was sudden even for loved ones who knew she'd been dealing with health issues.

Taylor Swift is honoring Dolly Parton following the country music legend's death, calling her legacy “everlasting” and remembering her as an inspiration to generations of artists.

“A world without Dolly doesn’t feel possible, real, or right,” Swift said in a statement. She praised Parton for encouraging people to be themselves while giving the world “the ultimate mystery and fantasy” alongside honesty, humor, and grace.

Swift also credited Parton with having “the softest heart” for people struggling and “a backbone of steel” when defending herself as an artist.

The tribute comes shortly after Parton personally thanked Swift and new hubby Travis Kelce for donating $2 million to her Imagination Library. Parton responded with a heartfelt video message, telling the couple she would “always love” them and jokingly asking for their firstborn child.

The Grand Ole Opry is giving Dolly Parton a special sendoff ... dedicating its entire Saturday night show to the country music legend following her death ... TMZ has learned.

The Opry tells us the weekend show will honor Dolly's life, legacy and massive contributions to country music, with Carly Pearce among the artists scheduled to take the stage.

Carly's involvement is especially meaningful ... she got her start performing at Dollywood, and Dolly herself surprised Carly in 2021 with an invitation to become an official Grand Ole Opry member.

Beyoncé is paying emotional tribute to Dolly Parton ... honoring the late country icon as “the north star” who showed generations how to be unapologetically themselves.

The “Cowboy Carter” singer posted a powerful message to her website Tuesday, remembering Dolly as “bold and brilliant” ... while thanking her for the massive impact she made through her music, philanthropy, humor and business savvy.

“Dolly, you were the barometer. The north star,” Beyoncé wrote … adding, “You taught so many lessons on how to be uniquely oneself.”

Dolly Parton's death came as a sudden and unexpected shock to those closest to her ... even though people in her inner circle knew she had been sick ... TMZ has learned.

Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... when loved ones learned Dolly had been hospitalized last week and wasn't doing well, they began rushing to Nashville to be by her side.

We're told they did not expect she would die during this hospital stay, believing she would recover and be released as she had following past health setbacks.

Dolly Parton's death has hit Hollywood hard ... and Sabrina Carpenter has taken to social media to share a touching tribute to the late legend.

She shared a sweet carousel of her and Dolly on the set of the music video for their "Please, Please, Please" remix.

Sabrina remembered the iconic artist in the caption, writing ... "oh dolly 💔 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!'"

12:52 PM PT -- Dolly Parton's death came as a sudden and unexpected shock.

11:34 AM PT -- TMZ has learned Dolly was admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville on early Friday morning with kidney and autoimmune issues.

We're told Dolly died in the hospital this morning.

Dolly Parton -- the country music icon behind some of the biggest songs ever recorded -- has died.

Her head of security announced her death Tuesday on Instagram.

We're told Dolly died in the last couple of hours in Nashville.

The cause of death is unclear, but Dolly told PEOPLE on Friday that she was "dealing with some health issues."

Fans are saying goodbye to Dolly Parton in the heart of Hollywood ... covering her Walk of Fame star with flowers in the wake of her sudden death.

Photos from Hollywood Boulevard show bouquets piling up around Dolly's star Tuesday ... along with a tribute sign reading, "Farewell to a beloved American icon."

As we reported ... Dolly died Tuesday at 80 -- and her passing came as a shock even to loved ones who knew she'd been dealing with health issues.

Dolly Parton will be laid to rest beside her late husband, Carl Dean ... TMZ has learned.

Bryan Seaver, Dolly's nephew, tells TMZ ... Dolly will be buried in the mausoleum at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville, Tennessee, where Carl is buried.

We're told Dolly will be buried in her signature high heels and a comfortable cotton dress.

Dolly Parton was in the process of handling her late husband Carl Dean's estate when she passed away ... TMZ has learned.

TMZ obtained court docs filed by Dolly in May 2025, two months after Carl died at the age of 82. According to the filing, Carl signed a will in 2012, which essentially put the country star in charge of his estate.

Carl's will said he was married to Dolly, and they had no children. The paperwork said Carl had five nieces and nephews, while Dolly had 14 nieces and nephews.

Jane Fonda says people should try to stay positive in the aftermath of Dolly Parton's death ... and to be grateful for the legacy she left behind, which should "ease our sadness."

The actress -- who famously starred alongside the country star in the hit comedy "9 to 5" -- shared a post in Dolly's honor Tuesday afternoon ... telling her more than 2.8 million followers she's devastated that her friend has now moved on.

Jane says Dolly -- more than anyone else she's ever known -- will never truly be gone because she was "so present, so powerful, so generous and playful that she is woven into all our lives and hearts forever."

Dolly Parton's loved ones are already making plans to honor the country music legend following her death ... TMZ has learned.

Family sources tell TMZ ... a small ceremony is being planned in Nashville in the coming days. We're told the gathering is expected to be intimate, with Dolly's closest family and loved ones coming together to celebrate her remarkable life and legacy.

Our sources say there are no solidified plans yet for a public funeral or celebration of life ... though it's still early.

Dolly Parton's beloved theme park, Dollywood, will open the day after her tragic passing ... with park staff saying it's what she would've wanted.

The amusement park released a statement after Dolly died Tuesday ... announcing the gates will open on Wednesday -- writing that Dolly lived by the motto "the show must go on."

Dollywood's reps add they're mourning Dolly -- whose title for Dollywood was "Dreamer-in-Chief" ... while Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton said helping Dolly bring her dreams to life in the form of Dollywood was his "greatest privilege."

Reba McEntire is saying goodbye to her longtime friend Dolly Parton ... sharing a deeply personal tribute after learning of the country icon's death.

Reba wrote Dolly had "passed onto the higher and greater side" ... thanking her for everything she gave the world through her music, love, and "huge huge heart."

She added, "There will never ever be another you" ... saying fans will cherish every memory and every note Dolly ever sang.