Liza Minnelli has shared a heartfelt tribute to her friend Dolly Parton, who recently passed away at the age of 80 following a private battle with cancer. Minnelli, 80, recounted how Parton, a country music icon, possessed an intuitive sense for her struggles, stating, "When I was in trouble? Dolly knew it." This sentiment likely refers to Minnelli's well-documented challenges with addiction and her personal life, which included four marriages.
Minnelli described her introduction to Parton through their mutual agent, Sam Haskell, and reminisced about the "spicy girl gossip" they would share over meals after watching each other perform. "The sound we hear isn’t thunder; it’s hearts cracking all over the world. No. It can’t be true," Minnelli wrote upon hearing of Parton's death. "This is devastating for so many reasons. I love Dolly. And she was always a truly supportive friend. We cheered each other on many times."
Minnelli also highlighted the role of Haskell in fostering their friendship, noting that he represented not only her and Parton but also Michael Feinstein, Minnelli's close friend and musical collaborator. Feinstein performed "Love Is Here To Stay" with Parton for his Gershwin Country album, which Minnelli executive produced. "Sam brought Dolly into our lives in powerful ways," Minnelli stated.
Finding herself overcome with grief, Minnelli quoted extensively from a statement released by Haskell, who had worked with Parton for 44 years. Haskell described Parton as "a woman of profound faith, dazzling humor, extraordinary integrity and boundless generosity."
Earlier this year, Minnelli had posted a public tribute to Parton on Instagram for her birthday, calling her a "national treasure" and thanking her for her daily generosity. "Dolly, please know people around the world adore you. God loves you so much…and so do I! Always, Liza," Minnelli had written.
Parton, who became synonymous with Nashville, is being honored in Tennessee, where efforts are underway to rename its international airport in her name. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority have indicated that Parton's representatives are open to the proposal. Governor Lee stated, "Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state. From her rural mountain home in East Tennessee to global stages, Dolly carried the Volunteer Spirit with her."
"At a place where Tennessee welcomes the world, it is fitting that Nashville International Airport would bear the name of our state’s favorite daughter and greet travelers with the enduring legacy of Dolly’s music, generosity, faith, and kindness," Lee added.