Dolly Parton passes away at age 80
The Dreamer in Chief is gone.
Country music legend and Dollywood founder Dolly Parton passed away today, her family announced. In 1986, in association with Herschend Entertainment, Parton opened Dollywood, which today is one of the most-visited theme parks in America. Parton just two weeks ago appeared via video for the opening of NightFlight Expedition at the Pigeon Forge, Tenn. park.
Parton got into the theme park business after expressing interest in opening a tourist attraction to provide jobs to people in her Smoky Mountains hometown. Herschend, which had recently acquired what was then known as Silver Dollar City Tennessee, approached Parton with the idea of a partnership. One of the theme park industry's great success stories resulted.
Parton was dubbed the "dreamer in chief" at Dollywood, where she made frequent appearances until recent health issues kept her away. Parton suffered the loss of her husband Carl Dean last year, whom she married in 1966.
Beyond Dollywood, Dolly helped provide not just for her community but for communities across the nation with philanthropic initiatives such as the Imagination Library, which sends free books to children to help encourage them to read. Dolly's family is asking fans who wish to honor her to consider a contribution to that cause.
Dollywood announced that it will open tomorrow despite Dolly's passing, in keeping with Dolly's wishes and honoring the show business adage, "the show must go on."
"Dolly's heart was as vast as the mountains she cherished, and her compassion knew no bounds," Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton said. "She inspired generations to dream boldly and love deeply. While we grieve her loss, we are honored and committed to carry her light forward. Her legacy will continue to shine in every melody sung, every smile shared and every dream kindled within these gates."
Replies (17)
I know death comes to us all but some people you just think are immortal. Dolly was such a great human being that you kind of thought she was going to be here forever. RIP to a true original talent.
@Robert: well said. We lost a good one today. I don’t care who you are or what your political beliefs are. Everyone loved Dolly.
This one hurts. It is some consolation that this is a person who received her flowers while she was alive. May her memory be a blessing and inspiration.
Telling you'd be hard-pressed to find someone on either side of political/cultural fence who didn't like her, if not love. It's just astounding all her impact, including theme parks.
Look up video of her at 15th anniversary celebration of WDW in 1986, singing "9 to 5" with Disney characters, a total blast. RIP to an icon.
I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to visit Dollywood while she was alive. My family and I had such a great time. Our favorite part was the food and chapel on site. That waterpark was a 10 out of 10 as well. Thank you, Robert for honoring her today... I knew that you would do it. I told my family that you would write something about her today. Maybe this is a little naïve on my part, but she was like the last living Walt Disney human version of our planet. My heart mourns the loss of this beautiful iconic theme park country singer pioneer of a woman. May the Lord protect her and her soul. It is because of her that Dollywood is what it is today.
A maverick and icon in every sense who brought joy and inspiration to everything she touched. She probably could have succeeded in any industry she put her mind to, and we're truly blessed to have been graced with Dolly's indelible marks on the theme entertainment industry. Her vision for a theme park might be as idealistic as what Walt Disney envisioned with Disneyland. There will never be another Dolly Parton, and we can only hope that others take inspiration from her legacy and strive to reach the heights Dolly was able to achieve.
So glad I made it to opening day this season of Dollywood to see her in person. She was a great person. Heaven is brighter and earth a little dimmer this afternoon.
Russell: "A maverick and icon in every sense who brought joy and inspiration to everything she touched."
Me: Well said, my friend.
It sucks - she actually cared about people... ALL PEOPLE
Unlike what we have today....
An Angel left earth today and went to Heaven
She is so loved because she exuded Love unconditionally. A truly beautiful person.
the Dollywood theme park was a bold move but it seems to be pretty popular
Like many others, I too regarded Dolly as almost immortal. Although she was open about having health struggles, I had no idea that the end was near. She accomplished so much, with so much grace and kindness, that her remarkable life sets a great example. I never cried before upon learning of the death of a celebrity but I cried for Dolly. At least Dollywood will go on but it will never be the same.
Also, for those that have never been to the Dreammore Resort, there is a display case in the lower lobby housing her "final" song that is to be kept sealed until Dolly's 100th birthday. What was a cute element of Dollywood's original on-site hotel, will undoubtedly become a major attraction, particularly closer to the unsealing date of the work on January 19, 2046.
I generally brush off celebrity passings that aren't tied to tragedy, but Dolly is different. She never let the fame go to her head and always seemed truly genuine, plus she dedicated so much to helping others in need. Truly one of the all time greats that will be missed by many.
I am absolutely heartbroken by the news. Even if you didn't know the music, you loved Dolly. It was just one of those universal constants, like the sky being blue and 1+1=2.
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I think I now know what it was like when Walt died.