Dolly Parton's father once told her the Imagination Library was "probably the most important thing [she] had ever done," according to staff at the nonprofit. The confirmation came as representatives for the country star announced her death at 80 on Tuesday following a "brief battle with cancer."
Singer's Death Confirmed by Representatives
In a statement shared with The Mirror on August 26, representatives said: "Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand."
The statement continued: "Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly's unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones."
Imagination Library's Origins and Impact
The country music legend grew up as one of 12 children of Robert Lee (who went by Lee) and Avie Lee Parton in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. Lee, who died in 2000, inspired Dolly's nonprofit Imagination Library, which has given more than 200 million books to children worldwide. The program launched in 1995 to help young children learn to read.
Staff at the Imagination Library shared a tribute on social media following the news. Writing on X, they said: "Our team, our local program partners, and every operational partner who helps make this program possible each month are heartbroken at the loss of our founder, Dolly Parton."
They added: "She was always proud that her little program grew into what it is today. She was proudest of what it meant to her Dad. In her own words: 'My Daddy told me the Imagination Library was probably the most important thing I had ever done.'"
Tribute and Legacy
In an open letter on the Imagination Library's website, Dolly wrote: "Before he passed away, my Daddy told me the Imagination Library was probably the most important thing I had ever done. I can't tell you how much that meant to me because I created the Imagination Library as a tribute to my Daddy. He was the smartest man I have ever known but I know in my heart his inability to read probably kept him from fulfilling all of his dreams."
The staff's tribute concluded: "The world grieves with us today. And yet we find ourselves just as certain about what comes next. For decades, Dolly & the team at The Dollywood Foundation — home of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library — worked to build something that would last for generations. So it will. The work ahead has never felt more meaningful, and we will carry it forward as she lifts us all up. Dolly, we will always love you."
