The death of the music icon and philanthropist was announced on Tuesday (August 25). In the update, the singer’s team shared that the 80-year-old died following “a brief battle with cancer”.
Tennessee is honoring Dolly Parton in a major way following the country music icon’s death.
On Friday (Aug. 28), Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Nashville International Airport (BNA) announced plans to rename the travel hub in Parton’s honor following her death earlier this week.
“Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state,” Lee said in a statement. “At a place where Tennessee welcomes the world, it is fitting that Nashville International Airport would bear the name of our state’s favorite daughter and greet travelers with the enduring legacy of Dolly’s music, generosity, faith, and kindness.”
The announcement comes just days after the Queen of Country died on Aug. 25 following a “brief battle with cancer,” according to her team.
Parton’s team “expressed their appreciation for the extraordinary outpouring of support to honor Dolly,” Lee wrote, adding that they are “touched by the idea and open to continuing the conversation.”
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell also voiced his support for renaming the airport in a statement shared on Instagram.
“Dolly was in the process of working with us on a remarkable hotel and museum — SongTeller — that she called her love letter to Nashville,” O’Connell wrote. “Now it’s our turn to share a love letter to Dolly — by renaming Nashville International Airport to Dolly Parton International Airport in Nashville.”
Parton was also working on a coffee brand called Dolly’s Cup Of Ambition Coffee, Dolly’s Dog Treats and Dolly Bedding & Home Decor.
In the entertainment realm, a musical, DOLLY: A True Original Musical On Broadway, is set to open on January 19 2027 – what would have been Parton’s 81st birthday – while further details of a Dolly avatar show, a biopic, a docuseries and a scripted series will be revealed soon.
Countless tributes have poured in for the ‘Jolene’ singer since the news broke, including from Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift, Eminem, Elton John, Mick Jagger, Cyndi Lauper, Oprah, Barbra Streisand, Jack White, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Kelly Clarkson, Debbie Harry, Shania Twain, Barack Obama, Beyonce and more.
