What in the World - ‘I Will Always Love You’: Why the world is mourning Dolly Parton

Download ‘I Will Always Love You’: Why the world is mourning Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton was a country music star like no other. Following her death from cancer on Tuesday, everyone from President Donald Trump to Beyoncé has expressed condolences online. But the public mourning isn’t just about Dolly’s catalogue of hits like “I Will Always Love You,” “Jolene” and “9 to 5,” or her nearly 50 studio albums like “Backwoods Barbie.”

William Lee Adams, a BBC culture reporter, explains why Dolly’s legacy has only grown with time. We discuss her uplifting personality, endlessly quotable quotes, and philanthropic endeavours — from donating a million dollars to help fund the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine to the Imagination Library, her charity that has gifted children more than 200 million free books.

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Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: William Lee Adams and Mollie Perella
Editors: Verity Wilde

Published on Wednesday, 26th August 2026.

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