Today millions are mourning the loss of singer, actress and general icon, Dolly Parton. She passed away at the age of 80 following a brief battle with cancer, and her family made a post online announcing her passing. She’s undoubtedly left behind an incredible legacy – including penning in excess of 3,000 songs throughout her career!
Dolly’s Love of Songwriting
Dolly previously estimated while chatting about her seven-decade long career that she had written around 3,000 songs in her lifetime. 450 of these ended up being tracks that she recorded, meanwhile others were scrapped, shelved or given away to other artists.
Many of these tracks were huge hits including “I Will Always Love You” sung by the late Whitney Houston, “There’ll Always Be Music” by Tina Turner, and “Put It Off Until Tomorrow” by Bill Philips.
Though the biggest hits that Dolly kept for herself include “Jolene”, “9 to 5” and “Here You Come Again.”
The beloved singer and actress received a huge number of awards unsurprisingly, from Grammy Awards and an Emmy to Academy Awards, six Golden Globes, and more!
Tributes have been pouring in endlessly today, already missing her, but it’s safe to say that Dolly has made her mark on the world.
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.
