President Donald Trump has ordered flags lowered to half-staff across the United States for one week in honor of country music icon Dolly Parton, who has died at age 80. The directive took effect on August 25, 2026, with Trump calling Parton "one of the greatest country singers and so much more" and describing her death as a true loss for millions.
Parton's nephew announced her death in a statement posted to her Instagram account on Tuesday evening. Singer Dionne Warwick said she would miss Parton's laugh, jokes, and warmth.
Parton made her album debut in 1967 with "Hello, I'm Dolly" and became known for signature songs including "9 to 5" and "Jolene." She also wrote "I Will Always Love You," which Whitney Houston recorded in 1992. Parton had previously declined the Presidential Medal of Freedom twice, citing her husband's illness and pandemic travel concerns rather than political motives.