US President Donald Trump has directed that American flags across the United States be flown at half-staff for one week in honour of legendary country music singer Dolly Parton, who has died at the age of 80.
Trump announced the directive on Tuesday, August 25, following the news of Parton’s death in Nashville, Tennessee, as tributes poured in from fans and personalities across the world.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Parton as one of the greatest country singers of all time and said her death represented a significant loss to millions of people.
He said the American flag would be lowered nationwide from 6 p.m. on Tuesday for a one-week period in tribute to the late singer.
Parton’s death was announced by her nephew and head of security, Bryan Seaver, in a video shared on social media.
The Tennessee-born entertainer enjoyed a career spanning seven decades and became one of the most influential figures in country music. Beyond music, she was also celebrated as a songwriter, actress, author, businesswoman and philanthropist.
Although Parton largely avoided political controversies, she revealed in 2021 that she had declined the Presidential Medal of Freedom twice during Trump’s first administration.
Speaking on the Today show at the time, Parton said she initially turned down the honour because her husband was ill and later declined again because of concerns surrounding travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also expressed reservations about accepting the award because she did not want the decision to become political.
Parton was widely recognised for her charitable work, particularly through her Imagination Library initiative, which promotes childhood literacy by providing books to children.
She founded the Dollywood Foundation in 1988 and later established a scholarship programme for students from her home region of Sevier County, Tennessee.
The singer also supported communities affected by natural disasters and donated $1 million to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in 2017.
Her remarkable musical career earned her induction into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She recorded 25 No. 1 songs on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and won 10 Grammy Awards from 55 nominations.
An official statement issued after her death described Parton as an enduring inspiration whose music, kindness and philanthropic efforts touched generations.
Her legacy, built through decades of music and humanitarian work, is expected to continue influencing artists, fans and charitable causes around the world.
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