Dolly Parton speaks to fans in emotional message recorded before death at opening of new exhibit
A new museum dedicated to Dolly Parton has opened its doors at the Song Teller Hotel in Nashville, featuring a poignant pre-recorded video from the country music legend herself.
The star, who passed away last month aged 80 following a private battle with cancer, filmed the message ahead of the attraction’s launch.
In the footage, Ms Parton personally welcomes visitors to what she described as the most extensive exhibition chronicling her remarkable life and career.
In the video, Ms Parton tells viewers: “Hi, everybody. It’s Dolly, and I am so proud to invite you to my Life of Many Colours Museum, opening right here in the heart of Nashville at my Song Teller Hotel.”
Dolly Parton welcomed fans to her new museum in a poignant video recorded before her death
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GETTY
She goes on to describe the attraction as “the largest exhibit of my life and career, filled with the stories, songs, and memories I’ve carried.”
The singer added: “It includes all of the things that have helped this little girl’s dream come true, and I can’t wait to share it with you.”
The museum promises guests an immersive journey through Ms Parton’s extraordinary story, tracing her path “from rags to rhinestones, from Hollywood to Dollywood and from initial country music stardom to global acclaim.”
Visitors are invited to “sing along and dream big with Dolly inside this museum experience as vibrant as the icon herself.”
Ms Parton’s Life of Many Colours Museum celebrates her extraordinary life and career
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GETTY
The inaugural Give Like Dolly Day took place last Friday, established by the Dollywood Foundation UK to honour the singer’s commitment to children’s literacy.
The annual event, held on September 25 in a nod to Parton’s hit 9 to 5, encourages people to support their local Imagination Library programmes.
Ms Parton created the Imagination Library in 1995 as a tribute to her father, who was unable to read or write.
The scheme, which began in her home county in East Tennessee, delivers free high-quality books monthly to children from birth to age five and now operates across the US, UK, Canada, Australia and Ireland.
Some of the biggest names in music and entertainment paid tribute to Ms Parton following her death.
Sir Paul McCartney remembered the country icon as a “magnificent star” and “wonderful woman”, while Sir Mick Jagger praised her ability to bring people together.
“What a wonderful songwriter and singer Dolly was,” the Rolling Stones frontman wrote.
“She brought so many people together; we will all miss her so much.”
Sir Elton John said he was “shocked and devastated” by the news, describing Ms Parton as “a giant of an artist – unique and irreplaceable, with the kindest heart.”
Her 9 to 5 co-star Jane Fonda also said she was “devastated”, adding that the singer would remain “woven into all our lives and hearts forever”.
Beyoncé, who covered Ms Parton’s hit Jolene on her 2024 album Cowboy Carter, said she would “treasure” having had the opportunity to work with the country legend.
The country icon’s museum opened as planned despite her death the previous month
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INSTAGRAM/DOLLYS LIFE OF MANY COLOURS
Taylor Swift said a world without Ms Parton “doesn’t feel possible, real, or right”, describing her as a woman of both “true grace and true grit”.
Celine Dion remembered the singer as “pure light”, while Billy Joel said the world had lost a “legend”.
Sir Tom Jones praised Ms Parton’s “angelic but powerful voice” and remembered her as a “wonderful and generous person”.
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