NEWSEminem Shares Touching Note Dolly Parton Sent Him Before Her Death: 'Unexplained Connection'
Dolly Parton left Eminem a touching note before her death.
Aug. 26 2026, Published 12:50 p.m. ET
Dolly Parton shared a touching note with fellow music artist Eminem before her tragic death at 80.
In his tribute to the “Jolene” singer on Instagram, the rapper shared the note that Parton sent to him after he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
It said, “I hope what I have to say will not seem weird or strange to you, but I have always felt some unexplained connection to you, like I know you somehow.”
Dolly Parton Called Eminem 'The Very Best' at Rap
Eminem shared a touching note Dolly Parton shared with him when he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The note started with Parton extending her heartiest congratulations to the "Mockingbird" singer, adding, “Your performance was amazing, and everybody said so.”
“Even though I don’t know a lot about rap music, I’ve come to know that you are the very best at it,” she continued.
The late icon also added, “I had hoped to meet you at the show, but you know how nuts those things are, personally I hate ’em and I missed my chance, but maybe someday we’ll meet.”
Parton Never Got to Meet Eminem in Person
Eminem Admitted Dolly Parton’s Heartfelt Note Meant More Than She Knew Before Her Death.
Unfortunately, the two artists couldn't connect in person.
“I’m sorry we never got a chance to meet, but getting this note from Dolly really had [an] impact on me,” he said. “She definitely didn’t have to take the time to do it.”
“Even for a kid who mostly listened to rap music, she was an icon,” he added, sharing the immense respect he continues to hold for Parton. “A superstar in every sense.”
He concluded, “Rest easy, Dolly. And thank you for the kind words.”
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Parton Was Inducted in the Same Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony as Eminem
Dolly Parton was inducted into the same Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony as Eminem.
Parton earned the same honor as Eminem, though only after a period of thoughtful back-and-forth.
“Even though I am extremely flattered and grateful to be nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I don’t feel that I have earned that right. I really do not want votes to be split because of me, so I must respectfully bow out,” she wrote on social media at the time.
Dolly Parton publicly withdrew from contention because she didn’t want 'votes to be split' and affect other artists.
“I do hope that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will understand and be willing to consider me again — if I’m ever worthy,” Parton added in her note.
However, the Hall declined her withdrawal, and she was voted into the institution with the class of 2022.
In another statement, she said, “Of course I will accept it gracefully. Thanks to everyone that voted for me and to everyone at the @rockhall. I will continue to work hard and try to live up to the honor.”
