Shania Twain has broken her silence on the passing of “Jolene” singer, Dolly Parton. The icon and actress passed away yesterday at the age of 80, according to a statement posted online by her family. The cause of death has been revealed by her team as an undisclosed but brief battle with cancer.
Shania Twain’s Tribute to Dolly Parton
Shania made a post to her main Instagram grid as well as another one to her story. The post to her main account is a throwback video to when she performed alongside Dolly in 2003 on “The Oprah Winfrey Show”. The duo sang Dolly’s huge hit “Coat of Many Colors” to an enthusiastic crowd while Shania gushed about how performing with Dolly is a dream come true.
Penned alongside the video, Shania wrote about the heartbreak of losing her “mentor”. She said: “Dolly was pure light sent from heaven. My mentor is gone. My songwriting teacher and hero of grace and humility. There is a hole in my heart but the joy of just the thought of her smile will continue to fill me with inspiration for as long as I live. I will cherish this moment performing Coat Of Many Colors with Dolly forever. Goodbye Dolly. Rest in peace, beautiful angel.”
Meanwhile over on Shania’s story she reposted a snippet of a 2011 interview Dolly did with E! magazine where she was asked about what her favorite songs she’s written were. She said “Coat of Many Colors” and described how the song’s sentiment made her think about the idea of being rich “but not in money”. The late star inspirationally said how a person can instead be rich in patience, love or kindness. Dolly also nodded to “I Will Always Love You” and how she loved to sing it as a power ballad.
Dolly’s Family Share She Has Passed Away
Dolly Parton’s family posted a video message to her social media profiles today announcing that she had passed away. Bryan Seaver read out the tragic news, speaking to a camera. He shared: “Hey everyone, my name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I am representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean.
“Sister, sis, aunt, granny to one generation, and Gigi to the next. This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago before I fully absorbed it as a future reality. As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now. It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, but not with Dolly.
“Dolly has lived in the light […] met by Carl, her parents, and countless others who have watched her and longed for her to meet them in the heavens. […] Dolly also opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers from every walk of life , and across every continent. By her example, we believed that anything was possible.
“She never saw a door she couldn’t open, and the doors she opened made and changed history. My family and I have shared a lifetime of beautiful memories with Dolly, but so have you. She has always been on your television, your record player, your CD, and your phone playlist becoming an extended part of your family.”
Rest in peace to Dolly Parton and best wishes to her loved ones.
