CAL THOMAS COMMENTARY AUGUST 27, 2026
WHEN IT WAS ANNOUNCED MONDAY THAT DOLLY PARTON HAD DIED, MANY PEOPLE FELT A LITTLE BIT OF THEMSELVES HAD DIED WITH HER. SHE TRANSCENDED CULTURE. SHE LIT UP THE STAGE, FILMS, AND ANY ROOM SHE WALKED INTO. SHE WAS KIND, COMPASSIONATE, GENEROUS AND FUNNY.
NO ONE KNEW HER POLITICS, BECAUSE SHE WOULDN’T TALK ABOUT POLITICS. SHE WAS INTERESTED IN BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER WITH HER MUSIC AND CHARM, NOT DRIVING THEM APART.
TWO THINGS GOT MY ATTENTION ON THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF HER DEATH. THE FIRST WAS THE SHOCK MANY EXPRESSED. DOESN’T EVERYONE DIE, AS SCRIPTURE AND HISTORY TELL US? SHE WAS 80 YEARS-OLD. A LONG AND SUCCESSFUL LIFE.
THE OTHER THING REMINDED ME OF STORIES WE USED TO TELL OUR CHILDREN. SHE STARTED OUT WITH NOTHING IN A TENNESSEE SHACK, ONE OF 12 CHILDREN, MANY OF WHOM SLEPT IN THE SAME BED, SHE ROSE TO INTERNATIONAL FAME BY NEVER GIVING UP ON HER DREAM AND WITH PLENTY OF HARD WORK.
SHE MARRIED ONCE. SHE AND CARL NEVER HAD CHILDREN, BUT HER PHILANTHROPY ENABLED CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD TO READ.
WHEN SOMEONE SO FAMOUS DIES, IT SHOULD GIVE EVERYONE PAUSE TO ASK A QUESTION? WHERE IS SHE NOW AND WHERE WILL I BE WHEN I DIE? IT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT– AND THE MOST PROUND QUESTION ANYONE CAN ASK. I’M CAL THOMAS.
