Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe has joined international tributes to American country music icon Dolly Parton, who died at the age of 80.
Nduhungirehe expressed his condolences in a post on X on Tuesday, sharing a photograph of Parton with a message mourning her death.
Parton died on August 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee, after a brief battle with cancer, according to her representatives. Her death prompted an outpouring of tributes from musicians, political leaders and fans around the world.
The singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist built a career spanning six decades and became one of the most recognisable figures in country music. Her best-known songs include “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You,” which later became a global hit for Whitney Houston.
Parton’s influence extended well beyond music. Through her philanthropy, she supported childhood literacy, medical research and other causes. Her Imagination Library programme distributed hundreds of millions of books to children, while her broader charitable work made her a prominent humanitarian figure.
She was also recognised with 11 Grammy Awards and numerous other honours during a career that included music, film, business and songwriting. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Parton’s death has triggered tributes across continents, reflecting her appeal beyond country music and the United States. Artists and public figures have highlighted both her musical legacy and her generosity, with many describing her as an artist whose work reached generations of fans.
Nduhungirehe’s message places Rwanda among the many countries and public figures mourning the loss of one of the most influential American entertainers of her generation.
