Dolly Parton, the country music legend and East Tennessee native who became one of the most beloved figures in American culture, has died at age 80. Dolly died peacefully in Nashville after bravely facing a brief battle with cancer.
Parton’s legacy stretches across six decades of music, film, and philanthropy, but for those in the National Park world, her passing carries a particular weight tied to one place: Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dolly Parton. Her music, generosity, and deep connection to these mountains will always be remembered. From all of us at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, our thoughts are with her family, friends, and fans during this difficult time. Honoring Dolly Parton, whose spirit will forever flutter through the Smokies.” –Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Parton grew up in the mountains of East Tennessee, just outside the boundaries of what would become the most visited national park in the country. The Smokies wove their way into her songwriting, her storytelling, and the way she described home for the rest of her life.
In 2009, during the park’s 75th anniversary celebration, Parton was named a celebrity ambassador for Great Smoky Mountains National Park. She went on to write an entire album inspired by the mountains, “Sha-Kon-O-Hey” directing profits from its first year to Friends of the Smokies.
Her connection to the region went beyond music. When wildfires tore through the park and surrounding communities in 2016, Parton moved quickly to help. Her My People Fund distributed millions of dollars directly to families who had lost their homes, playing a significant role in the region’s recovery.
Despite becoming one of the most recognizable figures in the world, Parton was known for staying rooted in her origins. The mountains of East Tennessee remained, by all accounts, home.
