IN PICTURES: Big heart beats no more: Dolly Parton, legendary country music icon, dies at 80

Dolly Parton, the legendary country music singer, songwriter, and actress, has died at the age of 80. She was known for timeless hits including “Jolene”, “9 to 5”, and “I Will Always Love You”, and leaves behind an enduring legacy in music, film, and philanthropy.

Parton's family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to her Imagination Library, a children's literacy programme she founded more than 30 years ago. The programme, which provides free, age-appropriate books to children from birth until the age of five, was inspired by her father, Robert Lee Parton, who was unable to read or write. According to RTE News, the Imagination Library has grown into an international programme, with Ireland becoming the fifth country to introduce it in 2019.

Tributes have been pouring in from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, with many describing Parton as a "true national treasure". The country music matriarch was also known for her rare statements on major global events, including dedicating the 2022 Academy of Country Music Awards ceremony to the people of Ukraine following Russia's full-scale invasion. Parton passed away peacefully in Nashville, Tennessee.

Brief written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick, RTE News, Kyiv Post, The Hill, El Pais — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.