Grammy-winning singer Beyoncé paid a touching tribute to Dolly Parton, saying that she was honored to have had “the privilege to work” with the deceased country music star.
Parton’s death was announced by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, on behalf of the family in a video post on social media on Tuesday. The Coat of Many Colors singer was 80, and she died after a brief battle with cancer.
“You were the barometer. The North Star. Bold and brilliant. Talented and tenacious,” Beyoncé, 44, said in a statement that was posted on her website after the announcement of Parton’s death. “You taught so many lessons on how to be uniquely oneself.”
“I am grateful for your art, your heart, your generosity, your humor, your entrepreneurship,” Beyoncé added. “I’m honored that I had the privilege to work with you. I will treasure that forever. Thank you for your profound impact on the world. You are an angel who has made this world a happier place because of your joyful art. You are truly one of one. Rest peacefully.”
A black-and-white photo of Parton was also attached to the tribute.
Beyoncé had the privilege of working with Parton on her Cowboy Carter album, as the deceased country singer featured on the Dolly P and Tyrant songs. In 2024, Beyoncé also released her rendition of Parton’s 1973 hit song, Jolene.
Parton gave a thumbs up to Beyoncé’s new rendition of her song during a June 2025 interview with PEOPLE. She commended the 35-time Grammy winner for editing the lyrics from “I’m beggin’ of you, please don’t take my man,” to “I’m warning you, don’t come for my man.”
“I’m a huge fan of hers — I mean, who’s not? Everybody loves her,” Parton said at the time. “I think she’s a magnificent artist, beautiful and the dancing in addition to the singing.”
Parton additionally described Cowboy Carter as a “really, really good album.”
“I was just honored that she, of course, did a completely different take on ‘Jolene’ than my version of it,” she continued. “Hers was more like, ‘Well, you’re not getting him, you’re not taking him, you’re going to go through me to get him.’ Mine was more like, ‘Please don’t take him!’ So I loved her interpretation.”
Parton added: “As a writer, you like to hear how different people interpret your songs, and how they put their own spin and do their own take on it. But I was very proud of it, and I hope her tour does great, and I’m sure it will. People seem to be loving it.”
