Yesterday on August 25, country legend and all-around icon Dolly Parton passed away at age 80. She left behind a legacy of timeless music, humor, and philanthropy, and across the United States, cities and civilians alike found ways to show just how beloved Parton was.
America thinks pink
Several American cities honored Parton’s passing by lighting up their landmarks with Dolly’s signature color: pink.
In New York City, the Empire State Building’s tower lights turned to a “pink sparkle” at 9:25 p.m., a reference to Parton’s hit song “9 to 5.” In Santa Monica, the iconic Pacific Park Ferris wheel was illuminated with pink hearts, stars, and spirals. In Chicago, the Willis Tower was lit with pink, and in Dallas, multiple buildings paid tribute, making its whole skyline a pink love letter to Parton.
The love for Dolly even reached across the pond to the United Kingdom. At Buckingham Palace, the guards played a rendition of “9 to 5,” which was posted alongside a statement from the Royal Family.
“Remembering the late, great Dolly, who brought joy, comfort and inspiration to so many – including the millions of children given free books through her Imagination Library,” the post reads. “We will always ❤️you.”
Google pays tribute
While cities light up their skylines with tributes to Dolly, Google is lighting up the internet.
Searching for “Dolly Parton” on Google prompts a number of monarch butterflies to flutter across the screen, a nod to Parton’s lifelong connection to butterflies and her song “Love is Like a Butterfly.” The easter egg also features a pop-up illustration reading, “We’ll always love you. 1946–2026.”
Like the Royal Family’s message, Google’s tribute references one of Parton’s most recognizable songs, “I Will Always Love You,” which she originally wrote and recorded in 1973 before it was famously covered by Whitney Houston in 1992.
The music industry mourns
Many celebrities also posted touching messages about Parton, including titans of the music industry like Taylor Swift.
“A world without Dolly doesn’t feel possible, real, or right. But because of the eternally generous way she spent her time on this earth and the countless lives she changed for the better, her legacy will be an everlasting one,” Swift said in a statement shared with multiple outlets. “Dolly, I’ll think of you each step of the way.”
Beyoncé, who covered Parton’s song “Jolene” on her Grammy-winning country album Cowboy Carter, posted a statement honoring the icon on her website.
“Dolly, you were the barometer. The North Star. Bold and brilliant. Talented and tenacious. You taught so many lessons on how to be uniquely oneself,” Beyoncé wrote. “I am grateful for your art, your heart, your generosity, your humor, your entrepreneurship. I’m honored that I had the privilege to work with you. I will treasure that forever. Thank you for your profound impact on the world. You are an angel who has made this world a happier place because of your joyful art. You are truly one of one. Rest peacefully.”
And Sabrina Carpenter, who collaborated with Parton on a remix of her song “Please Please Please” and an accompanying music video, posted several photos of them together on Instagram along with a heartfelt goodbye.
“i will cherish our laughter and conversations and i will keep your wisdom, your playful outlook on life, and perfect sense of humor in my pocket for the rainy days. there will never be another you and how lucky are we all to have experienced your singular magic as well as your once in a lifetime voice, songs, and heart,” Carpenter wrote. “your light will be something the world will search forever to find again 🦋🦋🦋 i will always love you.”
