Dolly Parton dies at 80 years old

Let's start with some pretty sad breaking news here. We have just learned that music icon Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80. The country music icon behind some of the biggest songs ever recorded. Her head of security announcing her death today on Instagram. I know this is the first time a lot of people are hearing this news. A legend, singer, songwriter, just an altruistic soul who's done so much for her community. She leaves behind a career that spans more than six decades. And I know that we'll be talking with TMZ in a little bit coming up at four o'clock and at three o'clock as well, we'll be discussing this. What a legacy. What a legend. I mean, this is just shocking. I think we were, our jaws were dropped right now because this was not expected. And she, her music, I mean, transcends generations, right? It's not just one group of people that used to listen to her and the variety of her music and just the impact that she has had on music is incredible. So this is a huge loss for Hollywood. She was one of these people that we saw her not that long ago perform at the Dallas Cowboys halftime show at Christmas and she was dressed like a cowgirl and she was on stage. We know that she had plans to do a residency in Las Vegas, but her health obviously took a turn and that was on pause. It's still surprising. She always seemed like she was like forever young. Right. I just can't believe it. I mean, she's not only a gay icon, but she's just an icon and really made a conservative space so progressive and open-minded for everyone. Look at Dollywood. I'm so heartbroken. I can't believe it. And to your point, she was someone that transcended ideology, politics, and many times she waited in that, but she was so graceful and kind of just navigating it. You know, a daughter of the South, Tony, and even through the pandemic, donating so much money to Vanderbilt University to try and get research out there for expediting the vaccine and just doing so many things that were outside of the music and theater realm. Yeah, but just had such a big heart. Well, she spoke on things, she advocated, and then she used her resources to advocate and really walked the walk. And that's why people loved her so much is she really put action behind so many things. And plus, Dollywood brought so much joy to people, not just through her music, but through her incredible works of art and the hotels she had, just her joy that she brought to everything. Just her kindness. This is an absolute heartbreaking story. We had seen some of her health issues the last few months. I had thought that she was on the mend, and that was kind of what was happening. She's recovering, and it's just so sad to see this, especially, you know, her husband passed last year, I think, just truly just an awful situation and just someone who was a bright light. We need more bright lights in this world. A worldwide icon, for sure. And she did it looking fabulous. Yes, she did. She never apologized for who she was, which is always what you want to see in someone like that and giving so many other people that strength. And of course, we'll have so much more coming up later throughout our hours here on FOX 5.