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Hollywood & Entertainment Celebrities Tribute Dolly Parton: Reba, Lily Tomlin, Donald Trump And More React By Jeff Benjamin ,
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Jeff Benjamin is a New York-based writer covering global pop music. Follow Author Aug 25, 2026, 03:55pm EDT Aug 25, 2026, 05:01pm EDT --:-- / --:-- This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . Summary Dolly Parton's passing at 80 sparked a global outpouring of grief and admiration for her seven-decade legacy as a musician, actress, and philanthropist. Tributes from entertainment, business, and political figures highlighted her profound impact. Co-stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin remembered her as powerful and generous, while Reba McEntire called her "buddy Dolly." Fashion icon Donatella Versace praised her kind soul, and political leaders like Bernie Sanders and Kamala Harris acknowledged her advocacy for literacy, LGBTQ+ rights, and the working class. Her $450 million net worth reflected a life dedicated to art and humanity, leaving an unforgettable mark on countless lives.
After the news that Dolly Parton died at the age of 80, tributes from across the entertainment world poured in to honor the legendary musician, actor, author and philanthropist.
Thanks to her large music catalog and stake in her theme park, Dollywood, Forbes estimated Dolly Parton’s net worth at $450 million as of June 2025.
That net worth was accumulated over seven decades of work across entertainment with music, acting, producing, writing, philanthropy and more, touching countless lives and connecting with all walks of life around the world.
Touching tributes from Dolly’s famous friends as well as notable figures across entertainment, business and politics (like Reba McEntire, Kacey Musgraves and more) who paid tribute to the late superstar, alongside photos that showcased the breadth of her career and influence.
Influenced by Dolly herself, the country-music star shared a touching tribute to her “buddy Dolly” with photos of the two through the years.
The actress who co-starred in 9 to 5 with Parton said she had “No words” alongside a photo of the two together. She also re-posted several photos of the stars together through the years on her Instagram Story.
Parton’s other 9 to 5 co-star shared a lengthy tribute to Parton.
The country singer who has performed and shared tributes of Parton through the years wrote on his Instagram Story that he was “heartbroken today” saying, “honestly....... I have no words right now.”
The American Idol winner said that “Dolly Parton had a way of making everyone feel special, and seen, and welcomed, and as if you were old friends. I will miss her heart and her voice as I am sure millions will. What an incredible gift and talent she was and still is with an amazing catalogue of art she has left behind for all of us.”
Parton had previously appeared and duetted with Clarkson her daytime talk show.
The country-pop star, who performed with Dolly at the Grammy Awards and took part in a tribute for Parton at the Country Music Awards for the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, made a series of posts about how she was taking news, sharing a hopeful thought about Dolly meeting her husband Carl, who passed in March 2025 at age 82.
Sharing a vintage photo, the musical and acting legend wrote, “So sorry to hear about Dolly - she was a true force of nature. May she rest in peace.”
The Academy Award–winning actress shared a photo with Dolly and other stars, writing, “If there are truly angels on earth, then we have just lost one.” Fields added, “There will never be another. I adored her with all my heart and will always cherish our time together. Forever. Rest in peace beautiful Dolly.”
“Our beloved Dolly Parton has died,” Midler said of her previous duet partner. “I am devastated, and I’m sure the nation will mourn her as I do, and for many years to come. She had a voice of pure gold and a heart to match. What a terrible, terrible loss.”
The actress shared a photo of Dolly and her late husband Carl, as well as a with Parton writing, “They say don’t meet your heroes. They were wrong about her.”
She continued her tribute saying, “Her bravery to know that she was more than they thought she was and that she needed to break away and move on into new work and new possibilities led her to write I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU, as her way of thanking and loving, but moving on. She is a great example for us all.”
“The world has lost one of the kindest and most generous of souls, the greatest of story tellers and a true legend of music,” the fashion icon and Versace brand ambassador wrote on Instagram. “So many lives were made better because of you. Thank you Dolly, for everything.”
The country star shared a sweet video of Dolly’s sweet nature with Parton embracing Morris while she and a group of musicians harmonized on Dolly Parton classic “Eagle When She Flies.”
The musical theater superstar, who Parton once blessed by saying she said would be an “ideal person” to portray her in a Broadway musical, wrote on Instagram that Dolly was “my ultimate inspiration. The world has lost one of the best but I know we will never forget her because she is impossible to forget.”
The legendary TV host shared, “One of my fondest memories with Dolly Parton: Having a hoot and a holler while wearing Bob Mackie gowns on her show Dolly .”
Oprah continued, writing, “This girl from the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee dreamed a life and then lived a life bigger than she could have ever imagined, giving so generously to others in ways we saw and ways we didn’t. No one like her. She brought the light, and we are all better because she was here. God bless you, Dolly — you earned your wings.”
The Rolling Stones singer posted in tribute saying, “What a wonderful songwriter and singer Dolly was. She brought so many people together, we will all miss her so much...
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