Dolly Parton passed away yesterday in Nashville, TN after dealing with a brief bout of cancer, according to her team. She was 80 years old and left behind a legacy of music, bold fashion choices, films, charitable giving, and love for her community – things Latinas are particularly grateful for.
Parton was born in Pittman Center, TN near the Smoky Mountains. She was the fourth of 12 children, and her family lived in a one-bedroom cabin. The daughter of a sharecropper and a housewife, Parton took inspiration from her family’s circumstances to craft her songs. Despite achieving worldwide fame and millions in album sales, Parton never strayed from her humble roots and instead used her platform to give back. Her understanding of poverty – without fetishizing or disdaining it – is a big part of why Latinas love her. We are the lowest-paid slice of the US population, according to UCLA.
The talented singer has been in the limelight since the release of her first album, Hello, I’m Dolly in 1967 at the age of 21. In the six decades since then, she fought for working-class people, women, and the oppressed. She also championed literacy and formed Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library 1995 in honor of her father, who didn’t read or write. The Imagination Library began as an initiative meant to serve Sevier County, TN and later benefited one in six US children aged five and under. Which means so many of us have directly interacted with the effects of her good works.
Dolly Parton didn’t stop with music. She was a prolific actor who worked with the likes of Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Julia Roberts, Sally Field, and more critically acclaimed actors in films such as the legendary 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias, to name a few. She lent her acting talents to TV shows such as The Simpsons, Hannah Montana, and Grace & Frankie.
Parton’s songwriting skills eventually amounted to 49 studio albums. Not one to keep the spotlight on herself, she wrote “I Will Always Love You,” which became a worldwide hit by Whitney Houston.
Her achievements in the music industry earned her a Lifetime Achievement Grammy in 2011 and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. With her sultry but strong voice, well-coiffed hair, and generous spirit, many Latines saw Parton as a role model too. A woman who can do all that and dress in over-the-top clothes and make-up is an inspiration to groups like Latinas who are often told that turning down our volume, our choices, is the only path to success.
Dolly Parton is certainly well-known and beloved for her iconic fashion choices. For years, women have been encouraged to wear beige, tan, and gray clothing, “clean” makeup, and to have minimalist homes. The lack of color in fashion today has sparked debates among women of color, including Latinas who come from cultures where color is desirable and seen as beautiful. It’s clear that Parton agreed that more is more. Her choices ensured that she was seen and heard in a music genre dominated by men.
To younger generations, Dolly Parton might be better known because of her collaborations. She has either directly recorded with or been sampled by artists as diverse as Beyoncé, Sabrina Carpenter, Post Malone, and Julio Iglesias.
Latine stars have also paid homage to Dolly Parton. Chiquis Rivera and Becky G famously covered “Jolene” in 2020, complete with a Spanish-language translation and novela-esque backstory to go along with their music video. With a hard work ethic, far-reaching legacy, and business acumen, it’s no wonder so many Latine women are mourning the loss of Dolly Parton.
We will also remember Parton’s use of her star power. Dolly Parton has continuously lent her voice to social justice causes. She spoke up for the Black Lives Matter movement when many white and non-Black folks stayed silent. Additionally, Parton also openly embraced LGBTQ+ colleagues and fans.
For many Latines, giving back to our communities is just as meaningful as making it in our careers and chosen fields. Parton also embodied this value and didn’t stop at just donating to charities and causes.
Remember the pandemic? Parton donated $1 million to research efforts that made the Moderna vaccine possible. This means that anyone who has received a COVID-19 vaccine directly benefited from Dolly Parton’s giving.
Despite her worldwide fame, Parton’s love life was relatively private. Her husband, Carl Thomas Dean passed away in 2025. The singer always made it a point to stay tight-lipped about her home life. She had no children by choice, stating that being childfree made it possible to pursue her work.
Even in death, she continues to make a difference. Lyft announced they’ll donate $20,000 to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in her honor. Additionally, the Imagination Library’s efforts will continue to benefit families eligible for their programs.
Parton’s work transcended linguistic and cultural barriers. We mourn the loss of Dolly Parton, but also bask in the inspiration she left behind.
