The Smoky Mountain Songbird Dolly Parton, a multi-hyphenate entertainer, entrepreneur, and champion for human rights, has passed away at the age of 80.

Parton’s 2006 Critics Choice Award nomination for Best Song for “Travelin’ Thru” from Transamerica was only one of her countless achievements. The Academy nominated her twice for her songs in films and awarded her the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. She also won an Emmy for Outstanding Television Movie for Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square, along with four other nominations. Over the years, she has received over 50 Grammy nominations with over ten wins, as well as the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The Library of Congress named her a Living Legend in 2004, and in 2005 she received the National Medal of Arts. 

While her list of accomplishments in the entertainment industry are enough to fill volumes, they pale in comparison to all of her work towards bettering the planet, either by funding scientific research, promoting education, improving access to social services, or aiding communities affected by disasters. For example, Parton’s Imagination Library has provided over 300 million books for free to children in the U.S., the UK, Ireland, Canada, and Australia. 

Parton’s eight decades were vibrant, and she was more than happy to share her triumphs and trials. From humble beginnings in Sevierville, Tennessee, to a singing career as a child at the Grand Ole Opry, a successful acting career, all the way through the creation of the Dollywood theme park and making the world a better place, saying Parton will be missed is an understatement.