Last Updated on August 25, 2026 by Daily News Staff

Country music legend, songwriter, actress and philanthropist Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80, bringing to a close one of the most remarkable careers in American entertainment.

Dolly Parton Dies at 80

Dolly Parton, whose unmistakable voice, songwriting talent, humor and generosity made her an American cultural icon far beyond the world of country music, died Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in Nashville.

Parton died at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center following a brief battle with cancer, according to her publicist. She was surrounded by loved ones. The specific type of cancer has not been publicly disclosed.

For millions of fans around the world, the news marks the loss of an entertainer who seemed almost timeless.

From the Tennessee Mountains to Stardom

Born Dolly Rebecca Parton on January 19, 1946, in Sevier County, Tennessee, Parton grew up as one of 12 children in a family with little money.

Those beginnings would become an important part of both her identity and her music.

Rather than distancing herself from her Appalachian upbringing after becoming famous, Parton repeatedly returned to those experiences in her songwriting. Songs such as “Coat of Many Colors” transformed childhood memories into stories about poverty, family, dignity and love.

After moving to Nashville, Parton eventually became a nationally known performer, including through her partnership with Porter Wagoner.

But it was her ability to write songs that helped establish her as one of the defining artists of her generation.

Her catalog would eventually include classics such as “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You,” “Coat of Many Colors,” “Here You Come Again” and “9 to 5.”

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“I Will Always Love You,” originally written and recorded by Parton in the 1970s, would find an entirely new audience when Whitney Houston recorded a soaring version for the 1992 film The Bodyguard.

More Than a Country Singer

Calling Dolly Parton simply a country music star never quite captured the full scope of her career.

She crossed into pop music, television and Hollywood while maintaining her country roots.

Her starring role alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the 1980 comedy 9 to 5 helped turn her into a major movie star. The film’s title song became another Parton classic and an enduring anthem about the frustrations of working life.

Parton later appeared in films including The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk.

She also became an extraordinarily successful businesswoman.

Her association with Dollywood, the Tennessee theme park bearing her name, helped transform the attraction into one of the state’s best-known tourist destinations while bringing jobs and investment to the region where she grew up.

A Legacy Built Around Giving

Parton’s impact may ultimately be measured by more than records sold, awards won or movies made.

Through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, founded in 1995, free books have been provided to children from birth to age five.

What began as a literacy program serving children in Parton’s home county in Tennessee grew into an international effort distributing books to children in the United States and several other countries.

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Parton also contributed to disaster relief, education and medical research. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center research that helped support development of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

Her philanthropy became almost as recognizable as her music.

An Artist Who Crossed Generations

Perhaps one of Parton’s most unusual achievements was her ability to remain relevant without abandoning the personality that made her famous.

Parents who grew up hearing Dolly Parton records introduced her music to their children and grandchildren. Country fans embraced her, but so did rock musicians, pop artists, actors and audiences who might rarely listen to country music.

Her enormous blonde hair, rhinestones and colorful outfits became instantly recognizable, and Parton frequently made herself the punchline of jokes about her appearance before anyone else had the opportunity.

Behind that carefully cultivated public image was a songwriter responsible for thousands of compositions and a businesswoman who maintained considerable control over her work.

Even late in her career, Parton continued exploring new musical territory. Her 2023 album Rockstar featured collaborations with major figures from rock and pop music and demonstrated yet again her ability to move between genres.

Tributes Pour In

News of Parton’s death quickly prompted tributes from across entertainment and public life.

Musicians, actors, friends and admirers remembered not only her extraordinary career but also the kindness and generosity for which she had become known.

The reaction reflects something that made Parton unusual among celebrities of her stature: she became a figure whose appeal extended across generations, regions and many of the cultural divisions of American life.

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Her husband, Carl Dean, died in March 2025 at the age of 82. The famously private Dean and Parton had been married for nearly 60 years.

The Music Remains

Dolly Parton’s career is difficult to summarize because it was never confined to one thing.

She was a country singer who became a pop star.

A songwriter who became a movie star.

A girl who grew up poor in the mountains of Tennessee and became a highly successful entrepreneur.

And a celebrity who turned much of her wealth and fame toward helping children she would never meet.

Dolly Parton died at 80, but the songs, stories and institutions she created will continue long after her passing.

For generations of listeners, hearing the opening guitar of “Jolene,” the tenderness of “Coat of Many Colors,” or the unmistakable opening of “9 to 5” will immediately bring her back.

And perhaps that is one of the greatest legacies a songwriter can leave behind.

STM Daily News will publish a more comprehensive look at Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life, career and lasting cultural impact in the coming days.

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Sources:
Associated Press — Dolly Parton dies at 80

Reuters — Dolly Parton dies at 80

Related Links:
Official Dolly Parton Website

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Dollywood

The Princeton Review has released its “Best Colleges for 2027” rankings, a set of 50 category-based lists built entirely from student feedback—an approach designed to help applicants and families focus less on prestige and more on campus fit.

The rankings are now searchable for free on PrincetonReview.com and are also published in a dedicated chapter of The Best 392 Colleges: 2027 Edition (Penguin Random House, $26.99), which went on sale August 18.

A rankings system built on student experience

Unlike lists that attempt to name a single “best” college overall, The Princeton Review’s project breaks the undergraduate experience into categories that mirror real questions students and parents ask: How good are the professors? Is financial aid strong? What’s campus food like? Do students feel supported?

This year’s rankings are based on surveys of 172,000 students at the 392 colleges featured in the book—about 439 students per school on average. Students completed a 98-question survey rating academics, administrative services, financial aid, campus amenities, and social dynamics, including topics like political leanings, race/class interaction, and LGBTQ acceptance.

Each ranking list names the top 25 schools in a specific category, using data drawn from one or more survey questions. The Princeton Review also posts information online about how each list is calculated.

Rob Franek, Editor-in-Chief at The Princeton Review and lead author of the guide, emphasized that the schools profiled vary widely by “type, size, locale, and campus culture,” but each offers an academically strong undergraduate education. He also reiterated a key point behind the project: there is no single “best” college—only the best fit for a given student.

Notable #1 schools across the 2027 lists

The 2027 rankings highlight how different “best” can look depending on what matters most to a student.

For academics and campus operations, several schools earned top spots:

• Professors Get High Marks: Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering (Massachusetts)
• Best Classroom Experience: Reed College (Oregon)
• Best-Run Colleges: Claremont McKenna College (California)
• Great Financial Aid: Washington and Lee University (Virginia)
• Best Career Services: Bentley University (Massachusetts)
• Best Health Services: The University of Chicago (Illinois)
• Best Student Support and Counseling Services: Macalester College (Minnesota)

Campus life categories also drew attention:

• Best Campus Food: University of Massachusetts—Amherst
• Best College Dorms: Bowdoin College (Maine)
• Most Beautiful Campus: University of San Diego (California)

The lists also capture student-reported culture and community dynamics:

• Most Politically Conservative Students: Texas Christian University
• Most Politically Liberal Students: Bennington College (Vermont)
• Most Politically Moderate Students: Manhattan University (New York)
• Most Religious Students: Brigham Young University (Utah)
• LGBTQ-Friendly: University of Vermont
• Lots of Race/Class Interaction: Rice University (Texas)
• Friendliest Students: William & Mary (Virginia)
• Happiest Students: Vanderbilt University (Tennessee)

One new addition in the 2027 edition is “Great Outdoors: Students Get Outside,” with The University of the South (Tennessee) ranked #1.

“Statistical Stand-Out Schools” adds a data lens

In addition to student rankings, The Best 392 Colleges includes a feature called “Statistical Stand-Out Schools for 2027,” based on surveys of college administrators. A few of the standout distinctions include:

• Lowest Tuition & Fees (In-State) / Public College: University of Central Florida ($5,954)
• Highest Average Need-Based Scholarships: Princeton University ($80,837)
• Lowest Student/Faculty Ratio: Caltech (3:1) and MIT (3:1)
• Lowest Average Undergraduate Debt: CUNY: City College ($7,849)
• Most Applications / Public College: UCLA (145,086)
• Most Applications / Private College: NYU (114,125)

For families weighing cost, support, and outcomes, these stats can provide a useful counterpoint to reputation-driven decision-making.

How to use the rankings

The Princeton Review’s 2027 lists are best used as a starting point for research: identify what you value most—teaching quality, career preparation, affordability, student support, or campus culture—then compare schools through that lens.

The full rankings hub is available at: www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings/best-colleges

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Beyond the Sticker Price: Identifying the Most Affordable New Vehicles to Insure for 2026

(Feature Impact)For most households, buying a new vehicle is one of the largest financial decisions they’ll make. The purchase price is only the beginning, however. Fuel, maintenance, depreciation and insurance all contribute to the total cost of ownership, making affordability a consideration that extends well beyond the showroom.

To help consumers make more informed purchasing decisions, Mercury Insurance recently released its annual rankings of the most affordable new 2026 model year vehicles to insure, identifying the top-performing SUV, truck, sedan and electric or hybrid vehicles in four of today’s most popular categories.

“Consumers naturally compare purchase price, fuel economy, safety ratings and technology features before buying a vehicle,” said Chong Gao, director of research and development for Mercury Insurance. “Insurance is one of the few ownership costs drivers can estimate before making a purchase. Factoring it into the decision gives consumers a more complete picture of what that vehicle is likely to cost over the years they own it.”

While every driver’s premium is unique, this year’s rankings also revealed a broader trend: Practical, mainstream vehicles continue to offer some of the strongest long-term insurance value.

“Vehicles designed for everyday drivers often strike the best balance between safety, repairability and replacement costs,” Gao said. “That’s reflected in this year’s rankings, where familiar models from manufacturers like Hyundai, Chevrolet, Honda, Kia and Volkswagen rose to the top. It reinforces the idea that choosing a practical vehicle can pay dividends well beyond the purchase price.”

A Cost You Can Plan For

Unlike unexpected repairs or fluctuating fuel prices, insurance is a predictable ownership expense consumers can research before purchasing a vehicle.

Comparing insurance costs alongside purchase price, fuel economy, maintenance expenses and expected repair costs can help shoppers better understand the long-term financial commitment of vehicle ownership.

Factors Influencing Insurance Costs

Insurance costs are influenced by many factors, but repair complexity, parts availability, vehicle safety systems and historical claims experience all contribute to how a vehicle is insured. While advanced safety technology can help reduce accidents, vehicles that are easier and less expensive to repair can also help improve long-term affordability. Among the considerations insurers evaluate are:

• Repair and replacement costs
• Historical claims experience
• Vehicle safety features and crash performance
• Theft frequency
• Availability and cost of replacement parts
• Vehicle performance characteristics

The Most Affordable Vehicles to Insure

This year’s rankings show practical, mainstream vehicles continue to offer some of the strongest insurance value. The top spot in both the SUV and electric and hybrid categories was claimed by Hyundai while Chevrolet led the truck category and Volkswagen topped the sedan rankings. Rounding out Mercury’s rankings were several familiar nameplates recognized for balancing insurance affordability with everyday value.

SUVs:

• Hyundai Santa Fe
• Chevrolet Blazer
• Honda Pilot
• Kia Sportage
• Honda Passport

Trucks:

• Chevrolet Colorado LT
• Chevrolet Silverado C3500
• Ford Maverick and Ranger
• Hyundai Santa Cruz SE
• Toyota Tundra CrewMax

Sedans and Coupes:

• Volkswagen Golf R
• Acura Integra
• Honda Prelude
• Kia K4
• Mazda3

Electric and Hybrids:

• Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
• Chevrolet Blazer EV
• Kia Sportage Hybrid
• Ford Escape Hybrid
• Honda CR-V Hybrid

“The smartest vehicle purchase isn’t always the one with the lowest sticker price,” Gao said. “It’s the one that delivers the best overall value over time. Comparing insurance before buying gives consumers another tool to make a more informed decision.”

Visit MercuryInsurance.com to see the full rankings and request a quote to get a more complete understanding of long-term ownership costs.

Photo courtesy of Hyundai America (Hyundai Santa Fe)
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock (couple using laptop)

SOURCE:

Mercury Insurance

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