Dolly Parton Pays Powerful Tribute To Olivia Newton-John Months After Her Death

The legendary Olivia Newton-John, who died last summer at the age of 72, was honored on Sunday in a state memorial in her native Australia. Various video tributes were played at the memorial, and one of the best ones came in from the country music icon Dolly Parton.

Parton Honors Newton-John

Daily Mail reported that Parton’s tribute was the first one that was played at the memorial, which was held at Hamer Hall in Melbourne. 

“The world lost one of its greatest talents when Olivia left us,” said Parton, 77. “I know it’s especially painful for all the folks there in Australia since she is one of your own. As a country you should be very proud and know that the whole world mourns with you.”

“Now, I had the honor of singing with her several times. I consider her a great friend as well as a fellow entertainer,” she continued. “Olivia, to quote one of your songs, I honestly love you. And thank you for shining your light on us.”

Related: Olivia Newton-John’s Final Words Are Revealed Months After Her Death

Parton And Newton-John’s Duet

Earlier this month, it was revealed that Newton-John had recorded a duet of “Jolene” with Parton before her passing. You can check that out for yourself in the video below.

Parton and Newton-John had been close friends ever since the Grease star won 1974’s Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year award. 

“My first memory of Olivia was when her song ‘Let Me Be There’ was a hit. I have loved her ever since,” Parton told Broadway World. “We had many occasions that we got to share together, either backstage or performing on the same shows, and I loved every moment that I ever got to spend with her. I’ve always been inspired by her grit, tenderness, willingness, and determination.”

“My last memory of Olivia was when I sang with her on my song ‘Jolene’ which she recorded for an album not so very long ago. I cannot wait to hear that album and Olivia may you rest in peace,” she added. “You left a spot that one else will ever fill.”

In a 2021 interview, Newton-John said that recording with Parton had always been a goal for her. 

“I have always wanted to record with Dolly,” Newton-John said at the time, according to The New York Post. “She was always there for me and what she did for me early on in my career in Nashville is something I will never forget.”

Related: Sad Details Emerge About Olivia Newton-John’s Final Days As Family Says She Suffered

Elton John’s Tribute

During Sunday’s memorial, the legendary Elton John paid tribute to Newton-John as well, describing her as “someone who I always looked forward to seeing.”

“She was such a wonderful force of nature but she was funny, she was kind, she was warm and she was talented and every time we got together we laughed and laughed and laughed,” he said. “Throughout her career I watched her grow and grow and grow to be the artist she became.”

“She was never down, she was always optimistic, she was fun, she was beautiful, she was kind,” John later added. “Those kind of people don’t come along very often, so we should treasure her memory and never forget what she gave the world.”

Newton-John was a true legend, and there will never be another one like her. Please join us in saying a prayer for Parton, John, and her other loved ones as they continue to mourn her.