The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, in the 2027 general election, Peter Obi, has paid tribute to American country music legend Dolly Parton, describing her compassion, humility and commitment to humanity as a legacy greater than her fame, wealth and musical achievements.
Obi, in a tribute titled “Dolly Parton: The Compassion That Came From Humble Beginnings,” posted on his official X account on Wednesday, said Parton’s greatness went beyond her extraordinary music to the person she remained despite achieving global fame, fortune and success.
According to him, Parton’s ability to remain connected to her roots was particularly inspiring, noting that she grew up in poverty in rural Tennessee in a large family that had little materially but was rich in love, faith, resilience and strong family values.
He said she never forgot those humble beginnings but instead carried them into her music, philanthropy and everyday life.
Obi said Parton’s songs resonated deeply because she sang about love, heartbreak, hardship, loneliness, hope and the struggles of ordinary people from a position of understanding.
Her music, he added, gave dignity and a voice to people who were often overlooked.
“Her compassion seemed to flow naturally from her upbringing,” Obi said, adding that even at the height of her success, Parton retained a remarkable warmth, humility and generosity, particularly towards children, the poor and people in need.
He described Coat of Many Colors, one of Parton’s celebrated songs about her childhood, as an example of how she transformed her humble beginnings into music that comforted and inspired millions.
“For me, that is her greatest song: the sound of a good heart that never forgot its roots,” Obi said, praying that God would grant the late musician eternal rest.
Parton, who died in Nashville on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, aged 80, was one of the most influential country music singer-songwriters of her generation.
Her career spanned more than six decades, beginning with her breakthrough in the 1960s before she established herself as a solo artist, actress, businesswoman and philanthropist.
She became internationally renowned for songs including Jolene, I Will Always Love You, 9 to 5 and Coat of Many Colors, while also starring in films such as 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias.
Her career earned her numerous honours, including Grammy Awards, induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Beyond entertainment, Parton was widely celebrated for her philanthropy.
Her Imagination Library literacy programme distributed millions of books to children, while her charitable contributions extended to healthcare, disaster relief and other humanitarian causes.
Her representatives said Parton died peacefully at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville after a brief battle with cancer, surrounded by loved ones.
Her death brought to an end a remarkable career that transformed a poor Tennessee girl into one of the world’s most recognisable entertainers, while her generosity and connection to ordinary people ensured that her legacy extended far beyond music.
