Dolly Parton ’s influence reached far beyond country music, and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders offered a moving reminder of that legacy after the singer’s death at 80 on August 25, 2026. The group remembered Parton as an icon while sharing photographs from one of her most memorable recent performances. Their tribute also brought renewed attention to the warmth, generosity and joy that made Parton beloved across generations.
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders paid tribute to Dolly Parton on Instagram on Tuesday, August 25, sharing photographs from her appearance at the Cowboys’ 2023 Thanksgiving halftime show at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kleine Powell wrote, “How do you even narrow down all of the perfect pictures of this angel to just 3? The event launched the Salvation Army’s 133rd annual Red Kettle Campaign, and Parton donated $1 million to support its work. In 1995, she created Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a literacy program that gives free books to young children. Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines In 2020, Parton donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for COVID-19 research. Two years later, she gave another $1 million to support pediatric infectious disease research. After wildfires devastated parts of East Tennessee in 2016, she established the My People Fund to help affected families. She also donated $1 million of her own money to Hurricane Helene relief and contributed another $1 million through her businesses.
We love and miss you already, Dolly,” while Reece Weaver added, “We lost a gem but heaven gained an angel. Kayla Hayes called Parton “A true icon,” and Claire Wolford wrote, “We love you so much Dolly! Speaking about the appearance at the time, Parton said, “I am just so excited to be performing live at AT&T Stadium to celebrate the launch of the Red Kettle Campaign.
The response from current and former cheerleaders showed just how personally Parton had connected with the group. Parton’s Cowboys halftime appearance carried a purpose beyond entertainment. She then explained why the cause mattered to her, saying, “There are so many people who ned our help this holiday season, and I am honored to shine a light on all the wonderful services The Salvation Army provides to help our neighbors in need. That generosity became one of the defining threads of Parton’s public life. Her charitable work later expanded into medical research and disaster relief. Her response to disasters was equally personal. For the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Parton will be remembered through photographs and one unforgettable night on the field. For millions of others, her legacy is even broader: a voice, a smile and a remarkable willingness to turn success into help for people who needed it most. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.
At 77, she stepped onto the field wearing the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ blue crop top and white shorts before entertaining the crowd with some of her best-known songs, including “Jolene” and “9 to 5. Their post was titled, “Remembering an icon, Dolly Parton,” a fitting description for a performer whose career stretched across music, film, television and philanthropy. The performance remains a striking part of Parton’s later career. The cheerleaders’ tribute was brief but emotional.