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Country star Dolly Parton dies at 80

NPR | By Jewly Hight,
Michel Martin
Published August 26, 2026 at 4:46 AM EDT

Dolly Parton, who died on Tuesday at age 80, became a star by poking fun at her own image. She came to be one of the most universally beloved figures in American culture.

Copyright 2026 NPR
Jewly Hight
NPR Music contributor.
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Michel Martin
Michel Martin is a host of Morning Edition.
See stories by Michel Martin
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