Dolly Parton, Country Music Icon Who Dedicated 2022 Awards Show to Ukraine, Dies at 80

Country music legend Dolly Parton, who honored the Ukrainian people during the 2022 Academy of Country Music Awards, has passed away at the age of 80, her public relations team announced. Born in Tennessee, Parton became a global pop superstar in the early 1980s, known for hits like "I Will Always Love You" and "9 to 5." Despite rarely commenting on major global issues, she made an exception when Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.

At the March 7, 2022, ACM Awards in Las Vegas, Parton dedicated the entire show to Ukraine, asking the audience to send love and hope to their "brothers and sisters." Singer Brad Tursi of "Old Dominion" thanked her during his acceptance speech for the group of the year award, acknowledging the strange feeling of celebrating while others were fighting for their lives.

Parton, a passionate humanitarian, established the Dollywood Foundation in 1988 to help reduce high school dropout rates in her home state, and later expanded her philanthropic efforts globally. She was also an ambassador for charity initiatives, including the Sunflower Guitar for Ukraine project.