ITV News presenter Mary Nightingale became visibly emotional while announcing the death of country music legend Dolly Parton on Tuesday evening. The 63-year-old newsreader's voice broke as she delivered the report during the 6:30 p.m. program.
"Just before we go to the break tonight, some very sad news I'm afraid. The country music legend Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80," Nightingale said. Returning from the break, she continued, "It's just been announced that the beloved American country singer has songwriter Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80."
Nightingale noted Parton's extensive career, stating, "Born in Tennessee just after the war she released her first album in 1967 and went on to have a 60 year music career. Along the way Dolly Parton won a string of Grammy and Emmy Awards, she was also an actor as well as setting up a foundation to help educate local children and tackle poverty."
After a news package detailing Parton's life, Nightingale appeared to take a deep breath, a moment viewers noted and described as endearing. Many viewers shared on social media that they found her emotional reaction relatable, with some stating it reminded them of personal losses.
Parton's death was confirmed in an Instagram video posted by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, who served as her head of security. According to TMZ, she died that morning after being admitted to Nashville's Vanderbilt University Medical Center on Friday due to autoimmune and kidney problems. Parton's loved ones reportedly rushed to Nashville upon hearing of her hospitalization.
Seaver described his aunt as having "lived in the light" and said she was now "in the arms of Jesus." He recalled her as a "farmer, just like her daddy; he farmed the soil, she farmed songs and happiness."
Parton, born in Pittman Center, Tennessee, on January 19, 1946, had a career spanning six decades. She was widely known for hits such as "Jolene" and "9 to 5." Her passing followed months of health issues that led her to cancel several public appearances.
In an interview published days before her death, Parton expressed a desire to continue working and achieving goals, stating she had been "grappling with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl," referring to her husband.
Parton's career began in her childhood, with her first single, "Puppy Love," released when she was 13. Her song "Jolene" was inspired by a bank teller who paid attention to her husband, and "I Will Always Love You" was written about her departure from her mentor Porter Wagoner. Parton famously refused to let Elvis Presley record "I Will Always Love You" because his manager demanded half the publishing rights, a decision that proved prescient when Whitney Houston's cover became a massive international hit for the soundtrack of "The Bodyguard."