Empire State Building Lights Up Pink to Honor Dolly Parton

On Tuesday night, New York City’s Empire State Building lit up its tower in a pink sparkle to pay tribute to Dolly Parton, the beloved country music icon and philanthropist who passed away at the age of 80 in Nashville. This heartfelt tribute took place from 9:25 p.m. to 10:25 p.m., with the start time chosen to honor Parton’s famous song “9 to 5,” which she performed in the 1980 film alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin.

In their announcement, the Empire State Building recognized Parton as a global cultural icon whose impressive seven-decade career touched the lives of countless fans. They also highlighted her significant philanthropic contributions through the Dollywood Foundation and her Imagination Library, which has distributed hundreds of millions of books to children around the globe. “At nine-two-five tonight, we celebrate her and her legacy,” the Empire State Building Observation Deck shared in their tribute post.

Parton’s Imagination Library, which she launched in 1995 in her hometown of East Tennessee, evolved from a local literacy initiative into a global program that sends over 3 million free, high-quality books each month to children from birth to age 5. The program now operates across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Ireland, making the pink tribute particularly meaningful given how integral her charitable work became to her public persona in later years.

This lighting is part of the Empire State Building’s long-standing tradition of honoring cultural milestones, causes, and notable figures, adding Parton to a growing list of entertainers celebrated on the iconic Manhattan landmark. This tribute was just one of many that emerged across the city and beyond following the news of her passing, with elected officials among the first to express their condolences.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed his sorrow on social media, calling the news “truly heartbreaking” and describing Parton as “an extraordinary person and an irreplaceable champion of the working class.” He added, “we are a better country because of her.” New York Governor Kathy Hochul echoed these sentiments, referring to Parton as “a once-in-a-generation talent, on and off the stage,” and commending her philanthropic efforts that “saved countless lives — and changed our world for the better.” Senator Chuck Schumer also shared a tribute, stating, “Dolly Parton was loved in every corner of our nation. All of America is mourning this monumental loss. We love you, Dolly.”

Parton’s passing concludes a remarkable nearly six-decade career that produced some of country music’s most timeless songs, including “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” and “I Will Always Love You.” Her Grammy-winning body of work made her one of the most recognizable entertainers worldwide. Beyond music, she created a vast entertainment empire that included the Dollywood theme park in East Tennessee, film roles in “9 to 5” and “Steel Magnolias,” and even a production credit on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” through her Sandollar Productions company.

Her influence extended far beyond the entertainment industry. Parton was a dedicated supporter of disaster-relief efforts in her home region of East Tennessee, and her decades of quiet philanthropy have redefined public perceptions of what a country music star’s legacy can look like after their music career ends.

Amid the outpouring of tributes, Parton’s upcoming Broadway show is also receiving renewed attention. “Dolly: A True Original Musical,” a biomusical that chronicles her life, is still set to proceed with previews starting December 7 at the St. James Theatre, with producers confirming that the production will continue “as was Dolly’s wish.” The official opening night is scheduled for January 19, which would have been Parton’s 81st birthday.

For a performer whose career spanned generations and whose impact reached into music, film, television, and philanthropy, Tuesday night’s pink glow over the Manhattan skyline provided a fitting public moment of remembrance, visible to millions across one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!