Shania Twain Honors Late Dolly Parton With Emotional Tribute: “My Hero Is Gone”

Shania Twain has paid tribute to Dolly Parton following the country music icon’s death at 80.

On Tuesday, Aug. 25, Twain shared a clip from a 2003 appearance on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” where she performed Parton’s 1971 song “Coat of Many Colors” with her longtime hero.

Introducing Parton, Twain called singing with her a “lifelong dream” and described her as her “musical and personal hero.”

“Dolly was pure light sent from heaven,” Twain wrote on Instagram. “My mentor is gone. My songwriting teacher and hero of grace and humility.”

Twain said she would treasure their performance forever and that Parton’s memory would continue to inspire her. She also performed “Coat of Many Colors” in Parton’s honor at the 2006 Kennedy Center Honors.

Parton’s nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death on Aug. 25. Her team later said she had died at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center following a brief battle with cancer.

Parton, who had canceled a planned 2025 Las Vegas residency because of health challenges, remained focused on philanthropy and her legacy in her later years. In a 2025 interview with PEOPLE, she said she hoped to continue doing work that would benefit others.