Taylor Swift Pays Emotional Tribute to Dolly Parton After Country Legend’s Death

Taylor Swift paid tribute to Dolly Parton following the country music legend’s death at age 80 in Nashville on Tuesday.

Swift described a world without Parton as difficult to imagine and praised her for the lasting impact she had on music, literature and generations of fans. She highlighted Parton’s songwriting, her Imagination Library literacy program, and the example she set for young women.

“Dolly, I’ll think of you each step of the way,” Swift wrote.

Swift has long admired Parton, recently calling her a “force of evolution and transformation” and a legendary storyteller. Parton also praised Swift, saying she admired how the singer handled her career and personal life and calling her an inspiration to young people.

The two also shared a recent connection through Parton’s Imagination Library. Last month, Parton thanked Swift and Travis Kelce for donating $2 million to the program ahead of their July 3 wedding at Madison Square Garden. Parton joked that she hoped the couple would let her have their first child because the baby would be “one special baby.”