# Dolly Parton has died at age 80 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** celebrity-death, music\ **Created:** [August 25, 2026, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545 "2026-08-25T18:00:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2026, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/101 "2026-08-25T23:06:04Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > fundies are saying she’s probably in the place down below because even though she claimed to be a Christian, she did not quote Scripture or sing gospel music. I guess for them, _living and embodying_ the life doesn’t mean much. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2026, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/102 "2026-08-25T23:07:54Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > Does anyone know which songs Elvis missed out on? “I Will Always Love You” was one. Col. Tom wanted 50% songwriting credit to have Elvis record it, and she refused. Later she made over $10m on royalties from Whitney’s version. StG ---
**Author:** ![mtnmatt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a3d4f5/32.png) [@mtnmatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mtnmatt)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2026, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/103 "2026-08-25T23:22:40Z")
Here’s one I saw shared - two legends, harmonizing like they were on a porch somewhere: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaRwthlUI-w](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaRwthlUI-w) Sorry, Doc Watson and Dolly - I’m not sure how to embed a clip. Worth a listen ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2026, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/104 "2026-08-25T23:29:11Z")
Try / at the end of the URL > **[Doc Watson Dolly Parton KB The Last Thing on My Mind](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaRwthlUI-w%2F)** > > This is a rehearsal in 2001 for MerleFest. I added the third harmony.The original clip ishttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaK0V5otwE8 ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2026, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/105 "2026-08-25T23:31:59Z")
Gawdamighty, thanks for sharing that. I wasn’t in tears before I watched it, but it’s a waterfall now. Absolute perfection. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2026, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/106 "2026-08-25T23:45:49Z")
I heard a song on Willie’s Roadhouse this afternoon: He’s Alive, (He being Jesus), and man, it wrecked me. I’m very secure in my atheism, but if anything casts a doubt, it’s that Dolly believed. Also, if anyone thinks she deserved hell, I’d like to hear about it, so that I’ll know everything I ever need to know about them. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2026, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/107 "2026-08-25T23:49:20Z")
My first concert was seeing Dolly Parton (with my parents, I was maybe in 1st or 2nd grade). Her work extended so far beyond her music…she really was a national treasure. > [@nearwildheaven](#): > > or sing gospel music They know her musical catalog about as well as they know that Book they’re always thumping. 🙂 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nPFUh4j2OM&list=RD3nPFUh4j2OM&start\_radio=1](https://youtu.be/3nPFUh4j2OM?si=BN-EKjN-L34hNu7j)/ ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/108 "2026-08-26T00:01:27Z")
NewsNation just reported that she died of cancer. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/109 "2026-08-26T00:05:54Z")
Both the Smithsonian and the Library of Congress have posted eulogies on Facebook. The Library included a video of her reading to children. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/110 "2026-08-26T00:08:59Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > He’s Alive, Yes, this is an amazing song. I don’t share her religion but I find this song very powerful. ---
**Author:** ![Jihi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jihi/32/17768_2.png) [@Jihi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jihi)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/111 "2026-08-26T00:15:59Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > I’m not a particular fan of her music\*, but she was just such a wonderful human. This right here. I’m still reading through the thread as I’m just learning about this. But this is my take as well and I’m sure wil be many others. I of course am familiar with her music through cultural osmosis, though my personal tastes run more toward classic rock / metal. I wouldn’t put her music on just to listen to randomly. But growing up in the 80s and 90s it was impossible to miss her. It is impossible as well to miss just how much of an A++ human being and philanthropist Dolly Parton was. On the news one of the talking heads just stated that Dolly demonstrated to us how to love everyone regardless of our differences. And she never wavered from that. Something that has been lacking in America for the last 10 to 20 years or so. Humanity is infinitely poorer for her passing and she will be sorely missed. RIP Dolly, if anyone ever deserved it it’s you. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/112 "2026-08-26T00:18:56Z")
Eminem has even posted about her. She was awesome and kind to him, of course. [![](https://i.redd.it/prlkebzddllh1.jpeg) ](https://i.redd.it/prlkebzddllh1.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/113 "2026-08-26T00:19:31Z")
It’s amazing that she could wear huge wigs, lots of make-up and rhinestone studded outfits and still come across as open, honest and genuine. Her self-deprecating sense of humor has already been mentioned. She really was one of a kind. Supremely talented and supremely generous. ---
**Author:** ![MonkeysBrother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3ab097/32.png) [@MonkeysBrother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeysBrother)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/114 "2026-08-26T00:21:38Z")
My favorite Dolly Parton song is _Light of a Clear Blue Morning_. Whenever the world is looking particularly bleak, I hunt up a version to listen to. It always helps. My favorite rendition is by The Wailin’ Jennys. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-UK7iNJgNo&list=RDJ-UK7iNJgNo&start\_radio=1](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-UK7iNJgNo&list=RDJ-UK7iNJgNo&start_radio=1) Rest in peace, Dolly Parton. And thanks… ---
**Author:** ![caligulathegod](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caligulathegod/32/9685_2.png) [@caligulathegod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caligulathegod)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/115 "2026-08-26T00:38:09Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Right, except for by Henry Winkler, but that was quite unusual. Henry Winkler is another example. Other than the Hanks thing, I’ve never heard a cross word against him. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/116 "2026-08-26T00:44:46Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > NewsNation just reported that she died of cancer. Corroborated by the AP: > [@](#): > > “After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” her publicist, Marcel Pariseau, said in a statement Tuesday. > **[Dolly Parton, music star, actor and beloved figure who spanned generations,...](https://apnews.com/article/dolly-parton-death-country-icon-87156f3e6a1547b88bf414529b644ad3)** > > Dolly Parton, the beloved music and film star known for her vibrant personality and poignant songwriting, has died. She was 80 years old. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/117 "2026-08-26T00:46:52Z")
> [@caligulathegod](#): > > Henry Winkler is another example. Other than the Hanks thing, I’ve never heard a cross word against him. True. It was just a lot of conflict on the early shooting days of Turner and Hooch, which Winkler was going to direct. Who knows? Stuff happens. I think both of them laugh it off now. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/118 "2026-08-26T00:54:15Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > I heard a song on Willie’s Roadhouse this afternoon: He’s Alive, (He being Jesus), and man, it wrecked me. I’m very secure in my atheism, but if anything casts a doubt, it’s that Dolly believed. Dolly Parton was a great witness to her Christian faith. > By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. – John 13:35 ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/119 "2026-08-26T02:09:25Z")
She was a bunch of pretty, nice, sweet things. I think I read one time she had a stray dog sanctuary. But, she was also a tough lady. Didn’t take any crap. I’ve seen her with sharp tongued late night talk show hosts and she held up her end like a champion. ---
**Author:** ![bmoak1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f4b2a3/32.png) [@bmoak1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bmoak1)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/120 "2026-08-26T02:13:24Z")
Really? Hanks is despised by the right wing and features prominently in the fever swamps of Q-Anon, Epstein Island “lists” and COVID conspiracy cranks. He was supposed to go to West Point last year to receive a prestigious annual award for civilians and it was canceled under political pressure and Trump crowed about it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545.md?page=7)