The Empire State Building honored Dolly Parton with pink lights, with a special detail paying homage to one of her most beloved works. The Empire State Building Honors Dolly Parton With Clever ‘9 To 5’ Nod first appeared on The Blast

The Empire State Building has joined the outpouring of tributes honoring Dolly Parton following the country music icon’s passing at age 80. The New York City landmark lit up pink as a touching salute to the beloved singer, songwriter, actress, and philanthropist. However, the tribute came with a thoughtful detail that fans may recognize, making the gesture even more meaningful.

The Empire State Building Glows Pink For Dolly Parton

The Empire State Building often uses its iconic lights to mark major occasions and honor notable people and causes. Its colorful displays have become a familiar part of the city’s skyline, marking everything from holidays and cultural events to milestones and moments of public importance.

On August 25, following news of Dolly Parton’s passing, the landmark announced it would glow pink in remembrance of the Queen of Country Music. The display began at 9:25 p.m. ET, a nod to the singer’s hit song “9 to 5,” released in 1980.

Parton wrote “9 To 5” as the theme song for the comedy movie of the same title, which marked Parton’s mainstream acting debut and saw her star alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. The hit single earned her two Grammys: Best Country Song and Best Female Country Vocal Performance.

The Empire State Building remained illuminated in pink for an hour as part of the tribute.

The Country Singer Navigated Health Issues Before Her Passing

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A post shared by Dolly Parton (@dollyparton)

In the past year, Parton shared that she had been battling a series of health issues, including kidney stones, digestive and immune system issues, as well as dizziness and dehydration. However, she reassured her fans that she had been receiving treatment and improving.

In an interview shortly before her passing, Parton told PEOPLE that she neglected her own health while she took care of her husband, Carl Thomas Dean, who died in 2025. “I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” Parton said.

On August 25, Parton’s nephew announced the country singer had passed away at 80 years old. As reported by The Blast, a representative later shared more details about the singer’s death, revealing that she also briefly battled cancer.

• Dollywood shares Dolly Parton’s final wish for the theme park.
• The Queen of Country Music’s life in photos.
• The singer said her doctor “clipped my wings” weeks before her passing.
• Dolly Parton said she was “not ready to die yet” several months before her death.
• She struggled following the painful loss of her husband in 2025.
• President Donald Trump ordered U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff for a week to honor the country legend.

Dolly Parton And Her Iconic Pink Aesthetic

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A post shared by Dolly Parton (@dollyparton)

The color pink became closely associated with Parton’s playful and glamorous image, fitting alongside rhinestones, bold makeup, towering wigs, and the unique fashion that became hallmarks of her personal style.

In 2020, Parton revisited some of her most iconic looks for Vogue‘s “Life in Looks” series, in which she discussed her pink ensemble from the “9 To 5” movie premiere, which she asked the film’s costume designer to create. “I just remember that was probably the first time I ever really felt like I was fashionable,” she said.

Parton described herself as a “painted doll” and used fashion as a form of self-expression. In a 2019 social media post, the singer shared a photo of her younger self in a pink outfit, writing in the caption, “No such thing as too much pink!”

Dolly Parton Sang ‘Pink’ For Breast Cancer Awareness

Pink was more than just a color to Parton. The singer was known for supporting charitable causes and was a dedicated supporter of breast cancer awareness.

In 2020, she collaborated with Monica, Jordin Sparks, Sara Evans, and Rita Wilson on the song “Pink,” an anthem of hope for the fight against breast cancer. The lyrics express a dream of a future where pink is seen as just a color, not a symbol associated with the disease.

In 2023, Susan G. Komen, a breast cancer organization, bestowed the Promise Award to Parton for her philanthropic efforts and commitment to ending breast cancer. “Dolly has long used her talents to inspire, educate, and raise critical funds for the breast cancer community. There’s no doubt, the world is a better place with Dolly Parton in it,” the organization’s president said.

Pink Isn’t Dolly Parton’s Favorite Color

Despite its association with Parton’s signature style, pink is not actually the singer’s favorite color. Her official Pinterest page offered a glimpse into her colorful aesthetic, with boards showcasing photos of her different looks and styles throughout her career.

In an interview with Interview Magazine, the Queen of Country Music said she has two favorites. “White and yellow. White makes me feel light and airy. Yellow makes me happy,” she shared.

The Empire State Building Honors Dolly Parton With Clever ‘9 To 5’ Nod first appeared on The Blast