Jane Fonda shared a touching tribute in honor of the late Dolly Parton.
“I am devastated. I just learned that Dolly has moved on,” Fonda, 88, wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, August 25, beside a photo of the two laughing. “I know that millions are mourning and I want to say this — more than anyone I have ever known, Dolly will always be with us because she was so present, so powerful, so generous and playful that she is woven into all our lives and hearts forever.”
She reminisced on Dollywood, their iconic movie, 9 to 5, and all the charity work that Parton did before her death, adding, “Let’s be grateful for all that she has left us to ease our sadness now.”
Fonda went on to say that she “never knew anyone” like Parton, who died at age 80 on Tuesday, noting, “She was simultaneously a naughty, playful southern gal from the hollows of Tennessee and a deep, soulful thinker who could see through people right down to their true selves. She was many things…lyricist, songstress, player of many instruments, writer, prankster, visionary, loyal friend, who’d never go to bed before she and her friends had laughed so hard they’d have to cross their legs.”
“She had a survivor’s instinct and seemed to always know just what to do, just what to say, to make things right…and then she’d stick her butt out the car window and moon Kenny Rogers’ home,” Fonda, who was friends with Parton for decades, wrote. “She was the voluptuous embodiment of empathy. That’s something of hers she’d want us
all to take with us.”
She then gave a shout-out to Parton’s LGBTQIA+ fans, gushing that “she loved you.”
“You know that without me telling you,” the actress continued. “She loved all her fans and they are legion. And you know she doesn’t want y’all to mourn now. Dress up and celebrate her spirit. But first, watch the final episode of Grace and Frankie where she’s an Angel, the head honcho working class angel in Heaven.”
Fonda concluded her post by writing, “RIP, beautiful woman. We love you. ❤️.”
Earlier in the day, Parton’s death was announced via a statement from her rep. “Global icon and humanitarian, Dolly Parton, known to the world as a beloved singer, songwriter, philanthropist, actress, playwright and author, died peacefully today in Nashville, Tennessee,” the message read.
Her nephew Bryan Seaver also paid tribute to her in a sentimental video.
“I am representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my Aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean,” he began the clip, which was shared via Parton’s social media pages.
Seaver said that he honored her request to be the one to share the devastating news with the world.
