Dolly Parton: Her Life and Her Legacy

Dolly Parton speaking at Belmont University. (Bree Fabbie)

Country music’s sweetheart, Dolly Parton, died at the age of 80.

She left an impact on the world through her music, philanthropy and her larger-than-life personality.

“Dolly Parton leaves behind a legacy that will shape lives for generations to come,” President Greg Jones said in a statement. “Through her talent, generosity and unwavering belief in others, she inspired people around the world to dream bigger and live with joy.”

Belmont University declined to make Jones available for an interview.

Belmont was lucky enough to have cultivated a relationship with Parton, where they worked on many projects together. One of those projects was the Dolly musical, which premiered in the Fisher Center in 2025.

“I think she has poured in so much not only into the music community, but also every community,” Ellie Thompson, a recent Belmont graduate and Dolly Parton fellow said. “She has just had so much impact on so many people and had a lot of impact on me.”

Thompson worked closely with Parton through her work at the Dolly musical as the company’s management fellow. She was later hired as an assistant to the company managers for the last month of the musical and credits Parton as the “stepping stone to her career.”

The Belmont Repertory Company also got the opportunity to take one of her books, “Billy the Kid Makes it Big,” and create a theatrical production that toured across elementary schools in the Nashville area.

She worked with some of the musical theater students for “9 to 5,” where she was featured on screen at the end of the show.

Parton also partnered with Belmont to make Dolly U, which the Belmont University website describes as “a dynamic slate of immersive coursework and community initiatives inspired by the life, artistry and entrepreneurial spirit of Dolly Parton.”

While she may not have met every single person at Belmont, she touched the lives of many.

“Whether it was because she had been in show business for that long, or just who she is, she had a line for everything,” department chair of Media & Entertainment Industries, Stephen Rush said. “And was also one of the most welcoming and gracious people.”

Just some of her philanthropic work included the Dollywood Foundation, the Buddy Program, the Eagle Mountain Sanctuary, the Imagination Library, the Dolly Parton Scholarship, and the My People Fund.

“She was a very good example of how you can use your wealth to benefit so many others,” Belmont student Annabelle Murphy said.

She was unapologetically herself, and left behind a legacy for women to do the same.

“She was so influential for women becoming themselves and being comfortable with who they are and it’s just devastating that one of the biggest influential figures for girls trying to grow up and be confident in themselves is gone,” Belmont student Gisselle Hovhannisyan said.

The main word people used to describe her was kind. A kind soul, a kind heart and a kind person.

“If you passed her in the hallway, she would wave and smile at you, and she would remember your name and remember faces, and was just so kind to everybody,” Thompson said.

Her legacy will live on in her family, music, philanthropy and in Nashville.

“It’s tragic, but at the same time, this is when you truly begin to realize the reach and the breadth of someone’s benevolence,” Rush said.

Written by Ava Burns