Dollywood is mourning the death of its founder, country superstar Dolly Parton.
“This is a really heavy day for all of us here at Dollywood Parks & Resorts,” president Eugene Naughton said in a video tribute shared via the park’s official Instagram account Wednesday, August 26. “We’ve been dealing with the news of our ‘Dreamer in Chief’ passing.”
Us confirmed on Tuesday, August 25, that Parton died after a brief battle with an undisclosed form of cancer. She was 80.
The country icon famously launched her own amusement park in her native Tennessee in 1986. Dollywood has planned to remain open following Parton’s death.
Addressing fans directly, Naughton stressed on Wednesday that Parton will remain “alive and well here” at Dollywood.
“A lot of people are concerned that things are going to change without Dolly being present here,” he said. “I want to assure you, it’s not. Just know we’re all going to keep her alive here. It’s hard, right?”
According to Naughton, the Dollywood team plans to honor Parton’s long-held beliefs of treating all humans equally.
“[We plan to] show kindness, don’t be afraid to love big, don’t be afraid to dream big, don’t be afraid to care more about others ‘cause that’s exactly what we’re gonna do,” Naughton tearfully added. “That’s exactly what she’d want us to do. The show must go on.”
Parton’s publicist confirmed her death in a statement shared with Us on Tuesday.
“Global icon and humanitarian, Dolly Parton, known to the world as a beloved singer, songwriter, philanthropist, actress, playwright and author died peacefully today in Nashville, Tennessee,” the statement read. “A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth and kindness that made us all feel like family.”
The obituary continued, “Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion and resilience. With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact.”
Parton’s nephew Bryan Seaver also shared the news of the musician’s death in an emotional video shared via her Instagram page.
“Dolly also opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers from every walk of life,” Seaver recalled. “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.”
Seaver later told TMZ that Parton would be buried inside the mausoleum at Nashville’s Woodlawn Memorial Park beside her beloved husband, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025 at the age of 82.
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