Dolly Parton tributes: Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Elton John, and Oprah lead homage to late country music icon

"A world without Dolly doesn't feel possible, real, or right. But because of the eternally generous way she spent her time on this earth and the countless lives she changed for the better, her legacy will be an everlasting one," Taylor shared with THR. "She was truly the gift that kept on giving. Dolly gave us someone to look up to while encouraging us to be who we are as individuals. 

"Somehow she was able to give us her lessons about the world gently and honestly, simultaneously, and oftentimes hilariously," Taylor continued. "She managed to give the world the ultimate mystery and fantasy in some corners of her life, but to give full transparency in the ways that counted. Somehow she was true grace and true grit, all in one dazzling person. She possessed the softest heart when it came to the struggles of others, and a backbone of steel to defend her own self worth as an artist."

"I had the great pleasure of recording a duet with our wonderful Dolly 'Baby it's Cold Outside' and it certainly does feel colder, now our Dolly has gone but the light and laughter she brought will keep us warm forever," Rod exclusively told HELLO!

"Today, we lost one of the best songwriters that ever lived. Miss Dolly Parton," Katy said during her show in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, on August 25. "Dolly Parton was an icon… She was constantly kind. So I just want to send a little love to Little Miss Dolly Parton."

"I am grateful for your art, your heart, your generosity, your humor, your entrepreneurship. I'm honored that I had the privilege to work with you," Beyonce, who collaborated with Dolly on Cowboy Carter, wrote on her website. "I will treasure that forever. Thank you for your profound impact on the world. You are an angel who has made this world a happier place because of your joyful art. You are truly one of one. Rest peacefully."

"Shocked and devastated to hear of Dolly’s passing. A giant of an artist - unique and irreplaceable, with the kindest heart x," Elton wrote on Instagram.

"Heartbroken today. Dolly Parton. Honestly, I have no words right now," Keith wrote on his Instagram Story.

"I am devastated. I just learned that Dolly has moved on," Jane, who starred in 9 to 5 with Dolly, wrote in part on Instagram. "I know that millions are mourning and I want to say this — more than anyone I have ever known, Dolly will always be with us because she was so present, so powerful, so generous and playful that she is woven into all our lives and hearts forever.

 "We have our memories of her, her songs, Dollywood, '9 to 5,' the millions of books she got into the hands of children, all the iconic images that bring her to us. And they are all blessings. Let's be grateful for all that she has left us to ease our sadness now. I never knew anyone like her. She was simultaneously a naughty, playful southern gal from the hollows of
 Tennessee and a deep, soulful thinker who could see through people right down to their true selves … RIP, beautiful woman. We love you."

"Well, I just got the news that my buddy Dolly passed onto the higher and greater side," Reba began in her tribute on Instagram. "Dolly, thank you for all the wonderful things you did for us here on earth. Your love, your music and you gave so much with your huge huge heart.

"There will never ever be another you. We will remember and cherish every memory and every note you ever played and sang. Thank you, Lord, for Dolly. She's gonna have a blast in heaven singing all her favorite songs with all her family and friends who have gone on before her."

Reba concluded: "I'll never forget the first time I met you and I'll never forget our last conversation. I hold it with love in my heart. I will always love you, Reba.

"So heartbroken to hear about the loss of a true original and forever one of a kind," Gwen wrote on Instagram alongside a video of Dolly performing on The Voice. "Such an inspiration to us all. I was so lucky to work with you. There will never be another Dolly."

"The magnificent star Dolly Parton has died and it is so sad. She was such a wonderful woman," Sir Paul penned on Instagram. "I first met her in Nashville at the Grand Ole Opry where she had been playing with the country star Porter Wagoner and was about to start her solo career. She was so bubbly and full of life it is difficult to take in the news that she has passed. 

"Her songwriting, her singing and her philanthropy were unrivaled in the world of country music and it is hard to imagine living in a world without Dolly. She was a very clever business woman who understood the value of her music and, most importantly, the effect that she had on the people of the world. There was no greater honour for me than to have her sing my song Let It Be and, even though I only made a small contribution to it, I am so honoured that she did it.

"I am so proud to have known her and admire her unique talents. Thanks Dolly for the beautiful music you gave me and the whole world. We will always love you, god bless and rest in peace. You were the best."

"Dolly Parton had a way of making everyone feel special, and seen, and welcomed, and as if you were old friends," Kelly wrote on Instagram. "I will miss her heart and her voice as I am sure millions will. What an incredible gift and talent she was and still is with an amazing catalogue of art she has left behind for all of us."

"One of my fondest memories with @dollyparton: Having a hoot and a holler while wearing Bob Mackie gowns on her show Dolly," Oprah penned. "This girl from the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee dreamed a life and then lived a life bigger than she could have ever imagined, giving so generously to others in ways we saw and ways we didn't.

"No one like her. She brought the light, and we are all better because she was here. God bless you, Dolly—you earned your wings," she concluded.

"I have so many moments and memories with Dolly, it's hard to know where to start. Like every little boy, I grew up loving Dolly Parton. She was a part of our lives, on our TV's, right in our living rooms," he wrote on Instagram.

"In 1992, I'll never forget walking into her dressing room to apologize for all the tabloid stories which claimed I was having an affair with her. In true Dolly fashion, she just looked at me, winked and said, 'Honey, this trash sells records!'"

He concluded: "Dolly recently sent me a beautiful message, telling me she loved me with her whole heart.  I will always love her in the same way ….. with my whole heart … and I always will."

"Oh my goodness! Where did you go Dolly? We are all breathless," Kevin, who personally asked Dolly's permission to use "I Will Always Love You" in 1992's The Bodyguard, wrote on Instagram.

"The feeling of who you are and who you were are so close. We have all stopped for a moment to think of the miracle that was you. Thank you for trusting me with 'I Will Always Love You.' So gracious in all things. We are all at a loss this moment. Forgive us but we will miss you so much. So much."

"I will cherish our laughter and conversations and i will keep your wisdom, your playful outlook on life, and perfect sense of humor in my pocket for the rainy days," Sabrina, who featured Dolly on the deluxe version of her song "Please Please Please," penned on Instagram.

"There will never be another you and how lucky are we all to have experienced your singular magic as well as your once in a lifetime voice, songs, and heart. your light will be something the world will search forever to find again."

"Dolly. This really really hurts," country star Kacey wrote on X, followed by: "So glad she's with her Carl Dean. No one talk to me today."

"I'm sorry we never got a chance to meet, but getting this note from Dolly really had a an impact on me," Eminem wrote alongside a screenshot of a note he received from her after he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. "She definitely didn't have to take the time to do it. Even for a kid who mostly listened to rap music, she was an icon. A superstar in every sense. Rest easy Dolly. And thank you for the kind words."