US President Donald Trump has mourned the passing of legendary singer, Dolly Parton, ordering that the country’s flag be flown at half-mast nationwide for one week to honour the late singer.
Parton’s family announced her demise in a video shared on social media on Tuesday.
Parton, the US country music legend famous for songs like ‘Jolene’ and ‘I Will Always Love You’, died at age 80.
In a statement shared on Truth Social, the US president described Parton as “one of the greatest country singers”.
Trump said the singer’s death represents a significant loss for millions of people, adding that “there’s never been anyone like her”.
The US president declared a week of national mourning, starting Tuesday evening.
“Very sad to report that Dolly Parton, one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER, has just passed away. This is a true loss for millions of people,” the post reads.
“There has never been anyone like her, and never will. In her honour, I am lowering the American flag throughout the United States for a one-week period beginning tonight at 6:00PM. Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you.”
Earlier in May, Parton had cancelled a series of Las Vegas concerts due to ongoing health concerns.
She revealed in a social media post that she was receiving treatment for an unspecified illness.
Parton, widely regarded as the “queen of country music”, had a legendary career spanning six decades.
She sold more than 100 million records worldwide. She wrote at least 3,000 songs, including global hits like ‘Jolene’ and ‘I Will Always Love You’.
The latter became an even bigger international smash after Whitney Houston released her version in 1992.
Parton was the fourth of 12 children in a poor farming family that shared a one-bedroom cabin in rural Tennessee, US.
Her early musical influences were her mother’s folk songs and her aunt, who played the guitar and wrote songs.
She started singing at age six in the local church where her grandfather was the pastor.