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Between the Notes | Dolly Parton — A Light that Won't Go Out
John Swinney said he was deeply saddened and praised Parton’s charity work, which provided thousands of free books for children in Scotland.
Country music star Dolly Parton died on Tuesday at age 80, with her nephew Brian Seaver announcing the death on Instagram. Parton was known for hits including "Always Love You" and "Jolene."
Parton founded The Imagination Library in 1995 in Tennessee to distribute books to children. The program expanded nationally in 2000 and celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2025 after mailing one million books.
First Minister John Swinney stated he is "deeply saddened" by Parton's death, praising her charitable work in Scotland. In April, the Scottish Government partnered with The Dollywood Foundation, which operates in Dundee, Fife, Renfrewshire, and Helensburgh.
The Library of Congress in Washington called Parton a "titan of children's literacy," noting her 2018 visit to donate its 100 millionth book. Linda McMahon, US Secretary of Education, honored her "generous spirit" and cultural impact.
Parton's death follows the passing of her husband Carl Dean in 2025. Her organization continues advancing literacy globally, maintaining her legacy of placing millions of books into children's hands to spark lifelong reading.