Key Facts

• Dolly Parton died at the age of 80, announced by her family on social media.
• President Trump praised her as an American cultural icon and ordered flags at half-staff for one week.
• Parton had a more than 60-year career, selling over 100 million records and working in music, film, and philanthropy.
• She was respected by people from different political backgrounds, with high approval ratings among Democrats, Republicans, and independents.
• During President Trump’s first term, she was offered the Presidential Medal of Freedom twice but declined due to personal and health-related reasons, not politics.
• Parton avoided publicly endorsing politicians and encouraged respect and civility among people with different views.
• She once described the 2016 U.S. presidential election as "the greatest show on television" but did not support either candidate.