Dolly Parton, acclaimed US country singer, dies at 80 after cancer battle

Born poor in the state of Tennessee, she grew up to become country music royalty. But fans are mourning Dolly Parton well beyond the American South. Flags across the United States are flying at half-staff, a rare tribute to a citizen, an order from President Donald Trump, who called her death a true loss for millions of people. It's a sentiment that seems to be shared across America's political divide. Parton was known for her philanthropic work, earning her the praise of former U.S. Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush alike. Through her imagination library, she helped millions of children learn to read and also supported medical research, including for the development of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine. Democrats and Republicans alike are mourning her. I think she was a very unifying force in our country. And I think, you know, I never really saw Dolly Parton as a political figure. The country music industry is often associated with conservative America. But Parton resisted being claimed by the left or the right and rarely embraced partisan politics. I'm a person of faith. Part of the reason Parton has earned respect across the country's political and cultural divide is because her music has also crossed boundaries. Her song, I Will Always Love You, became a mainstream hit for Whitney Houston in 1992, almost 20 years after Parton wrote it. Her fans say that is what was so special about her, that they didn't have to agree with each other in order to love Dolly Parton's music. you