# 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:** 8
**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 26, 2026, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/141 "2026-08-26T15:05:45Z")
That. Is. Priceless. Thanks for posting it. ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/142 "2026-08-26T20:34:57Z")
I wish we could declare the date of her death as “Dolly Parton Day”. “Nine-Two-Five” is oddly appropriate, and easy to remember. We went to Dollyworld a few years ago, in hopes of seeing the replica of her birthplace. Oddly, the park was closed and weren’t able to see it. ---
**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, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/143 "2026-08-26T20:36:10Z")
All we have to do is switch August & September for that to work. ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/144 "2026-08-26T20:38:36Z")
Arrrgh. My mistake. I was looking at the September calendar when reading of her death. I goofed that one. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/145 "2026-08-26T20:40:23Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > All we have to do is switch August & September for that to work. It’s for Dolly Parton. Who could possibly object? ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/146 "2026-08-26T20:40:44Z")
> [@pullin](#): > > I wish we could declare the date of her death as “Dolly Parton Day”. [Tennessee already proclaimed January 19 to be Dolly Parton Day](https://www.tn.gov/governor/news/2026/1/15/gov--lee-proclaims--dolly-parton-day--in-tennessee.html), in honor of her 80th birthday earlier this year. Though apparently [Nashville already assigned it to August 5 back in 2019](https://www.siriusxm.com/blog/dolly-parton-day)? Confusing. But yeah, I’ve seen calls for recognizing September 25 as “9 to 5 Day”. ---
**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, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/147 "2026-08-26T21:20:14Z")
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Dolly Parton produced Buffy right away, not taking an on-screen credit. She’s part of the reason that amazing show go on television. ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/148 "2026-08-26T22:03:48Z")
I haven’t seen mentioned her work with American bald eagles, which I found admirable [https://eagles.org/dollywood/](https://eagles.org/dollywood/) ---
**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, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/149 "2026-08-26T22:11:27Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Lee Skylar shared his stories about Dolly. Autocorrect appears to have not been your friend. That’s Leland (Lee) Sklar. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/150 "2026-08-26T22:57:21Z")
I’ve read so many stories about Dolly Parton the last couple of days and so I don’t have a cite for either of these things but I wanted to share them, because they’re kind of priceless. The first one and I don’t remember where I read it is that one time Dolly Parton lost a Dolly Parton look alike contest to a drag queen. Isn’t that hilarious! And I’ll bet she loved it. Damn, I’d love to see a picture of the final of that. The other thing that I don’t remember where I read it is that somebody asked her if she minded being called a dumb blonde. And she said no I don’t, because I know I’m not dumb and I’m also not a blonde! 🤣 ---
**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, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/151 "2026-08-26T23:03:12Z")
(deleted, I’m not sure that’s the actual photo) ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/152 "2026-08-26T23:14:15Z")
> **[2.7M views · 56K reactions | Dolly Parton lost a Dolly Parton look-alike...](https://www.facebook.com/reel/1925603274592966)** > > Dolly Parton lost a Dolly Parton look-alike contest. 🤣 ---
**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, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/153 "2026-08-26T23:29:57Z")
I just saw a clip where she was talking about previously being overweight. She said, “When I had to haul ass, I had to take two trips!” ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/154 "2026-08-27T01:17:40Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Autocorrect appears to have not been your friend. That’s Leland (Lee) Sklar. I didn’t notice autocorrects mischief until after posting. Lee plans to post more about Dolly and play songs that he worked on. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/155 "2026-08-27T02:36:08Z")
> [@caligulathegod](#): > > Henry Winkler is another example. Other than the Hanks thing, I’ve never heard a cross word against him. Everything I heard about him has been positive. He seems to be a very genuine guy, and treats everyone with respect. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/156 "2026-08-27T02:40:06Z")
I have since learned that, but it wasn’t her focus. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/157 "2026-08-27T02:41:27Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I just saw a clip where she was talking about previously being overweight. She was never overweight, but if you look at the full body photos from 1978,[when she dressed as a Playboy bunny](https://www.google.com/search?newwindow=1&sca_esv=fb6bf71abe441b28&rlz=1C1QCTP_enUS1136US1136&sxsrf=APpeQnsKS7LukcaWey3IFHD_UvrVz0XTNw:1787798256805&udm=2&fbs=ABfTbFVyMZGZf1hfvX9uKjN_-G8c4u0nXx4bEIpwm1lnNH832QGGMdFXpDyzkQgEdtB8w9zZ67Faapx8wIWp8O3JpX8ZaGK8XOQO1QpgtVZa1-fu0dLiphNCXRB4Ka9XWNF7mM-_FejuFzmj63qts6QhpB13348o4gby0TSk6eSS_5IM2dTNBxklQ2B_AcsJfk_cpHmcjX7_iUSAyhKLMjStJW-cYGYLMw&q=dolly+parton+playboy+bunny&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjWmZvA47-WAxW_N4YAHR2zHm4QtKgLegQIFBAB&biw=1600&bih=731&dpr=1), you can see that her face was rounder and her waist somewhat fuller than later on. It was about that time that she was transitioning from pure country to crossover pop, and she started doing all the body work she later talked about. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/158 "2026-08-27T10:37:12Z")
I think Dolly Parton could have had a successful career concentrating on just one of her many talents: singer, songwriter, multi-instrumental musician, actress, comedian, storyteller, businesswoman, or all-around entertainer. She was good enough at any one of them to make a name for herself. But put them all together, along with that enormous personality and charm, and you get something much rarer: a true superstar—a word that gets tossed around far too easily. Most people get one lane. Dolly somehow built the whole highway. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/159 "2026-08-27T13:36:45Z")
Dolly Parton International? > **[Change.Org Petition To Rename Nashville Airport in Honor of Dolly Parton...](https://www.billboard.com/music/country/change-org-petition-rename-nashville-airport-dolly-parton-1236326222/)** > > Change.org petition to rename the Nashville International Airport in honor of country queen Dolly Parton has blown up since the singer's death this week. > At press time, the effort had garnered nearly 127,000 signatures. Following Parton’s death, the airport honored her legacy by **[lighting up its parking garages in pink](https://fox17.com/news/local/nashville-international-airport-lights-up-pink-in-honor-of-dolly-parton)** through the weekend. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545/160 "2026-08-27T14:35:58Z")
> **[Carly Pearce & More Will Honor Dolly Parton This Weekend at the Grand Ole Opry](https://www.billboard.com/music/country/grand-ole-opry-dolly-parton-1236324932/)** > > The Grand Ole Opry's Saturday night show will honor Dolly Parton. > Others on the Opry’s Saturday night lineup include Channing Wilson, Belle Frantz, Kathy Mattea, Molly Tuttle, Dan Tyminski, T. Graham Brown, and the Opry Square Dancers. The Saturday night Opry show will air on the Opry’s flagship station, WSM-AM and online at [wsmonline.com](http://wsmonline.com), [opry.com](http://opry.com), and on SiriusXM channel 58. ETA: starting time is 7:00 Central. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-has-died-at-age-80/1032545.md?page=9)