Dolly Parton Dies; Flags at Half-Staff for Week

Dolly Parton died at age 80 after health issues were disclosed in recent months. President Donald Trump announced that American flags would be lowered to half-staff across the United States for one week, starting at 6 p.m. on August 25, in her honor. Her family and representatives memorialized her as a guiding light who inspired generations through music, charity, and enduring kindness, with tributes from nephew Bryan Seaver and others. Parton’s life—from rural Tennessee to global stardom, her Dollywood empire, and the Imagination Library—was cited as a remarkable legacy, with coverage noting health struggles and cancellations of appearances before her death. The outpouring of tributes across the entertainment world reflected her status as one of the most influential figures in country music and American culture.