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Tyler Perry pays tribute to Dolly Parton, praises her kindness and lasting impact
27th August, 2026 11:41 PM
American filmmaker and producer Tyler Perry has paid tribute to country music legend Dolly Parton, describing her as an “authentic soul” whose kindness reached people far beyond the rooms she entered.
Perry shared his message on Instagram on Thursday, August 27, 2026, reacting to a new cover from TIME magazine honouring Parton following her death at the age of 80. Parton died on August 25, 2026, after a brief battle with cancer. Her representatives said she died at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Centre in Nashville, surrounded by loved ones.
“I found this cover interesting. I know it’s Time Magazine, but it’s also a reminder that time is not promised to us and we should do all we can do to be good to each other with the time that we are given,” Perry said.
His message came as tributes continued to pour in for Parton, whose death brought an end to one of the most remarkable careers in American entertainment. The singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist had spent more than six decades in the spotlight, becoming one of the most recognisable figures in country music and popular culture.
Perry said Parton used her time on earth in a way that left people better than she found them, pointing not only to her music but also to the warmth she showed to others.
“And I believe Dolly did just that. Her kindness, like her music, walked into rooms that she was never in, soothing and just making life better,” he wrote.
Perry continued by thanking Parton for the example she set during her lifetime.
“Thank you for being not only an incredible artist but also an authentic soul who cared about humanity in such a special way,” he said.
Perry, who has built his own entertainment empire through film, television and theatre, also spoke about his personal admiration for Parton.
“I’ve always admired you and you will be missed especially as this world grows colder,” he stated.
Parton’s influence went far beyond her record sales and long list of awards. She wrote thousands of songs during her career, with classics such as “Jolene”, “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You” becoming part of the musical history of several generations.
“I Will Always Love You” later became an even bigger global hit when Whitney Houston recorded her version for the 1992 film The Bodyguard, introducing Parton’s songwriting to an even wider international audience.
Parton was also celebrated for her philanthropy. Through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, she helped provide hundreds of millions of books to children around the world. She also donated $1 million to COVID-19 vaccine research, funding that supported work connected to the Moderna vaccine.
Parton was also known for refusing to fit neatly into one box. She was a country music superstar, Hollywood actress, businesswoman, songwriter and philanthropist, while maintaining the larger-than-life appearance that became part of her identity.
Her sparkling clothes, towering blonde hair and quick sense of humour often made her instantly recognisable, but behind the rhinestones was a serious businesswoman who built a vast entertainment empire.
Her Dollywood theme park, which opened in 1986 near her childhood home in Tennessee, became a major tourist attraction and helped transform the surrounding area economically. Despite her enormous success, Parton often spoke proudly about her humble Appalachian roots.
Parton’s death has triggered an extraordinary wave of mourning across music, Hollywood and beyond. Fellow stars, musicians and actors have paid tribute to the singer, while fans have gathered at places closely associated with her career to remember the woman who turned her humble beginnings in rural Tennessee into an international legacy.
TIME also released a special cover tribute following her death, highlighting the extraordinary journey of a woman who grew up in poverty before becoming one of the world’s most recognisable entertainers.
