Dolly Parton, a towering figure in country music and a dedicated philanthropist, has passed away at 80 years old. Her nephew, Brian Seaver, shared the news on Instagram, expressing a mix of pride and sadness.
Parton's career spanned decades, marked by her distinctive songwriting, emotional depth, and clear vocals. She penned hundreds of songs, including two of the 20th century's most iconic tracks, 'Jolene' and 'I Will Always Love You', reportedly written on the same day.
Beyond her musical achievements, which included 25 US country No 1 singles and 47 country Top 10 albums, Parton was also an accomplished actor, earning two Golden Globe nominations. Her philanthropic efforts were significant, notably through her Imagination Library literacy scheme, which has distributed more than 150 million books to children.
Born into poverty in a one-room cabin in Tennessee, Parton's early life inspired songs like 'Coat of Many Colours'. She began her musical journey singing in church and made her first record at 13, later moving to Nashville after high school in 1964.
Parton's business acumen led to ventures like the Dollywood theme park, which she took a stake in and renamed in 1986, doubling its size over two decades. The Dollywood Foundation, established in 1988, funded college scholarships and literacy programmes, including the Imagination Library, which began in 1995.