Dolly Parton, who died Aug. 25 at age 80, was universally beloved because she combined legendary musical talent, deep humility and a lifelong commitment to radical kindness that crossed all demographic and political divides.

Following is a summary of her incredible music and artistry: 

• Wrote more than 3,000 songs, including timeless classics like “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” and “I Will Always Love You.”

• Rooted her lyrics in the gritty, honest experiences of working-class people.

• Bridged musical genres seamlessly from country to pop and bluegrass.

Her generous philanthropy included the following:

• Founded the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which has gifted hundreds of millions of free books to children worldwide.

• Donated $1 million toward COVID-19 vaccine research at Vanderbilt Health, helping save countless lives.

• Supported local disaster relief, education, and children’s health quietly and without seeking applause.

Parton’s authenticity and humor was evidenced as follows:

• Embraced her over-the-top glamour while famously joking, “I look fake, but my world is real to me”

• Used self-deprecating humor and sharp wit to stay grounded and relatable.

• Stayed fiercely true to her Appalachian roots and values.

In our view, the most significant aspect of Parton’s life was her rare ability to bridge immense cultural divides and connect with multiple generations through her timeless music, sharp business acumen and profound philanthropic generosity.