Dolly Parton Dies at 80; Flags Lowered

Trump, writing on Truth Social, called her death "a true loss for millions of people," adding: "There has never been anyone like her, and never will." He closed the post: "Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you."

Obama wrote on X that "it's hard to imagine many people having a bigger impact than Dolly Parton," noting she was "born in a one-room cabin," earned 11 Grammys and an Emmy, built a business empire, "helped millions of kids learn to read" and "helped accelerate the research that led to the Moderna COVID vaccine."

Clinton called her "one of a kind — a great songwriter and performer who told the stories of everyday Americans with honesty, humility, and heart," and said she "rose high from her East Tennessee roots and never forgot where she came from."

Bush said he and Laura Bush "mourn the passing of Dolly Parton," calling her "a great entertainer and even greater person" and praising "her work to promote literacy, advance health, and strengthen communities."

Taylor Swift remembered her as "true grace and true grit, all in one dazzling person," and said Parton "was truly the gift that kept on giving." Beyoncé honored her as "the north star" who showed generations how to be unapologetically themselves.

Paul McCartney called her a "magnificent star" whose "songwriting, her singing and her philanthropy were unrivaled in the world of country music." Elton John said he was "shocked and devastated" by the loss of "a giant of an artist — unique and irreplaceable, with the kindest heart." Oprah Winfrey said Parton "brought the light."

Eminem, who said he never met her, posted a note she had sent congratulating him on his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction and calling him "very special." "Even for a kid who mostly listened to rap music, she was an icon," the rapper wrote.

The BBC reported tributes came from officials on both sides of American politics and from abroad, including Australia's prime minister. ESPN reported the sports world joined in, with tributes from the Tennessee Volunteers and the Dallas Cowboys among others.