Spanish singer Julio Iglesias has paid tribute to American country music legend Dolly Parton following her death on Tuesday at the age of 80.
Writing on Instagram, Iglesias said that Parton had gone far away, as everyone will eventually go, but added that her soul remained among all of our souls. He noted that he personally had the great good fortune to sing with her, describing it as an immense privilege before concluding that they would see each other again and wishing her to rest in peace.
The passing of the iconic singer-songwriter was announced on Instagram by her nephew Bryan Seaver. Seaver highlighted her life as shining like a diamond and noted that she was one of the few figures admired across all social and political spheres in the United States.
The Spanish vocalist shared a notable musical collaboration with Parton three decades ago. In 1994, the two artists recorded the duet When You Tell Me That You Love Me, which was included on Iglesias's album Crazy.
Country Music Career
Parton is widely regarded as one of the most significant country singers in history. Over a career spanning more than six decades, she won eleven Grammy Awards and transcended the country genre to become a global phenomenon, while also establishing herself as an actress, businesswoman, and philanthropist.
Her global reputation was built on iconic hit songs such as Jolene and I Will Always Love You, as well as an extraordinary charitable effort focused on child literacy.
Early Life in Tennessee
Born Dolly Rebecca Parton on January 19, 1946, in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, she grew up in a humble Appalachian family as the fourth of twelve children. Parton frequently emphasized that the poverty of her childhood shaped both her character and her artistic work, an experience immortalized in her composition Coat of Many Colors, which was inspired by a coat her mother made from fabric scraps.
Rise to Stardom and Songwriting
After gaining early exposure on local radio and television broadcasts, Parton moved to Nashville upon graduating high school. She achieved national prominence alongside singer and television host Porter Wagoner before launching a solo career that made her one of the most successful artists in country music history.
Although her distinctive voice and charismatic personality captivated generations of fans, Parton maintained that her greatest source of pride was her work as a songwriter. She claimed to have written approximately 3,000 songs during her lifetime, including several cornerstones of American popular music.
Her 1973 track Jolene became one of the most covered songs in the country repertoire. That same year, she wrote I Will Always Love You as a professional farewell to Wagoner, a song that later achieved worldwide acclaim when Whitney Houston recorded it in 1992 for the movie The Bodyguard.
