SAMPLEDHow Is Dolly Parton's Legacy Being Honored After Her Passing?
Since Dolly Parton died on August 25, 2026, a museum, a hotel, a Dove Award, a CMA tribute special and a Broadway musical have kept her story going. Here is what is new and what is still to come.
Dolly Parton died on August 25, 2026, at age 80, after a brief battle with cancer (ABC News (opens in a new tab)). In the weeks since, her family, her team and the music community have kept bringing out the projects she cared about. Many of them she worked on herself until the very end.
Here is a look at the new releases, honors and openings that celebrate her life, and how fans can take part.
What is the Life of Many Colors Museum?
On October 6, 2026, Dolly's Life of Many Colors Museum and Dolly Parton's SongTeller Hotel opened in downtown Nashville. Children from her Imagination Library helped cut the ribbon (DollyParton.com (opens in a new tab)).
The museum follows her life from childhood in rural Tennessee to country music and Hollywood. It covers her music, fashion, film, television, philanthropy, family and faith. Parton wrote and recorded the narration visitors hear as they walk through. Her longtime creative director, Steve Summers, called the museum "her ultimate dream." Her niece, Rebecca Seaver, is now its executive director (ABC News (opens in a new tab)).
"I think Dolly saw this whole building as a love letter to her fans," Summers said.
The SongTeller Hotel, built with Herschend, has 240 rooms and suites. According to her official site, Parton reviewed details, shared stories and made creative decisions throughout its development.
What award did Dolly Parton win after her death?
At the 57th GMA Dove Awards on October 6 in Nashville, "Broken Angels," her song with The Grascals, won Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year (Backstage Country (opens in a new tab)).
Parton co-wrote the song with Grascals co-founder Jamie Johnson. It deals with addiction and recovery, and it was the last song she co-wrote. Sonya Isaacs sang Parton's parts with the band at the ceremony. Johnson accepted the award in tears. "She was our first boss," he said, remembering that she took the band in back in 2004.
When is the CMA tribute to Dolly Parton?
"CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton" airs live on ABC and Disney+ on October 21, 2026, and streams on Hulu the next day. It comes from Belmont University's Fisher Center in Nashville (Variety (opens in a new tab)).
The 20 scheduled performers include Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, Vince Gill, Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley, Kelsea Ballerini, Brad Paisley, Molly Tuttle, Darius Rucker, Ricky Skaggs, Sierra Hull and Little Big Town. The CMA and Belmont plan to donate part of the proceeds to her Imagination Library.
Photo: RCA Records, 1970, via Wikimedia Commons (opens in a new tab), public domain
Is the Dolly Broadway musical still happening?
Yes. On October 2, 2026, her team announced the cast for the Broadway premiere of DOLLY: A True Original Musical. Parton handpicked the five leading cast members herself (DollyParton.com (opens in a new tab)). The show had its only pre-Broadway run at Belmont's Fisher Center in fall 2025, and Parton was closely involved (Variety (opens in a new tab)).
What else has been released in her name?
Her official news page lists several other projects from recent weeks (DollyParton.com (opens in a new tab)):
- Cup of Ambition coffee. Released nationwide on September 29, National Coffee Day. It was a dream of hers more than 40 years in the making.
- "Dolly Dolls." The first three collector dolls launched September 15 with Integrity Toys and the museum. They nod to her first childhood song, "Little Tiny Tassel Top," about a corn-cob doll her mother made.
- Give Like Dolly Day. The Dollywood Foundation held it on September 25, asking people worldwide to support local Imagination Library programs.
How can fans honor Dolly Parton?
The most direct way is the one she spent decades building: the Imagination Library, which mails free books to children. Fans can also visit the museum in Nashville, watch the CMA tribute on October 21, or simply put on her records and share them with someone new.
From "Jolene" to "Coat of Many Colors" to the last song she co-wrote, Dolly Parton gave the world a lifetime of songs and kindness. The work being shared now shows how much of herself she left behind.
Also read: what is happening with Dolly Parton's estate dispute.
For more on the people behind country's sound today, read how country music is being made in 2026.