Dollywood is mourning the loss of its founder, the country music superstar Dolly Parton.
“This is a truly difficult day for all of us here at Dollywood Parks & Resorts,” President said Eugene Naughton said in a video tribute shared via the park official Instagram Account Wednesday August 26th. “We have been dealing with the news of the death of our ‘Dreamer in Chief’.”
Us confirmed on Tuesday, August 25 that Parton died after a brief struggle with an unknown form of cancer. She was 80.
The country icon opened her own amusement park, Dollywood, in her native Tennessee in 1986 has planned to remain open after Parton’s death.
Dolly Parton will be remembered even after her death at the Dollywood theme park. “It is with a heavy heart that the Dollywood family mourns the loss of our beloved dreamer-in-chief, Dolly Parton,” the official Dollywood Instagram account said on Tuesday, August 25. “Everyone at Dollywood shares the grief of countless people (…)”
Naughton addressed fans directly, emphasizing on Wednesday that Parton will remain “safe and sound here at Dollywood.”
“A lot of people fear that things will change without Dolly being here,” he said. “I want to assure you that’s not the case. All I know is that we’re all going to keep them alive here. It’s hard, isn’t it?”
According to Naughton, the Dollywood team plans to honor Parton’s longstanding belief in treating all people equally.
“(We plan to) show kindness, not be afraid to love big, not be afraid to dream big, not be afraid to care more about others, because that’s what we’re going to do,” Naughton added tearfully. “This is exactly what she wanted from us. The show must go on.”
Parton’s publicist confirmed her death in a statement shared with Us on Tuesday.
Dolly Parton’s rep announced that the singer had died after a “short battle with cancer.” “Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity to everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity touched the lives of countless people she would never meet, and yet she was always there to (…)
“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.” was the explanation. “Dolly was a radiant life that shone so brightly for the world to see. Dolly will forever be an inspiration, not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also through 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. Over her seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and her 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.”
Dolly Parton will be remembered even after her death at the Dollywood theme park. “It is with a heavy heart that the Dollywood family mourns the loss of our beloved dreamer-in-chief, Dolly Parton,” the official Dollywood Instagram account said on Tuesday, August 25. “Everyone at Dollywood shares the grief of countless people (…)”
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 all walks of life,” Seaver recalls. “Through 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 in the mausoleum at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Nashville next to her beloved husband, Carl Deanwho died in March 2025 at the age of 82.
