US President Donald Trump has ordered American flags across the United States to be flown at half-staff for one week following the death of country music icon Dolly Parton at the age of 80.
Trump announced the directive on Tuesday, August 25, as tributes continued to pour in for the legendary singer, songwriter and philanthropist, who died in Nashville.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Parton’s death as a “true loss for millions of people” and directed that flags nationwide be lowered from 6 p.m. on Tuesday for seven days in her honour.
Parton’s death was announced by her nephew and head of security, Bryan Seaver, in a video shared on social media.
Born in Tennessee, Parton enjoyed a career spanning seven decades and became one of the most influential figures in country music. Beyond music, she built a successful career as an actress, author and businesswoman while gaining global recognition for her philanthropic work.
Parton largely avoided political controversies, but she disclosed in 2021 that she had twice declined the Presidential Medal of Freedom during Trump’s first administration.
She told the Today show that she initially turned down the honour because her husband was ill and later declined because of restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. She also expressed concern that accepting the award could be interpreted as a political statement.
Much of Parton’s legacy was defined by her charitable initiatives. Through her Imagination Library programme, she supported childhood literacy by distributing millions of books to children.
She founded the Dollywood Foundation in 1988 and later established the Dolly Parton Scholarship for students from Sevier County, Tennessee, where she grew up.
Parton also contributed to disaster relief efforts, including support for communities affected by the devastating East Tennessee wildfires. In 2017, she donated $1 million to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Her contributions to music earned her numerous honours, including induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She recorded 25 No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and received 10 Grammy Awards from 55 nominations.
An official statement issued following her death described Parton as an enduring inspiration whose influence extended far beyond music.
It said her legacy would live on through her music, songwriting and commitment to philanthropy, highlighting her “wit, warmth, and kindness” and her dedication to making the world a better place.
With a seven-decade career that touched generations of fans and artists, Parton leaves behind a legacy of music, compassion and service that is expected to endure for years to come.
