Liza Minnelli Reflects on Decades-Long Friendship with Dolly Parton

Liza Minneli is mourning the death of her longtime friend Dolly Parton.

If you didn’t see the sad news, the country music icon sadly passed away earlier this week on Tuesday (August 25) at the age of 80.

On Friday (August 28), the 80-year-old Cabaret legend took to Instagram to pen a lengthy message honoring Dolly.

“The sound we hear isn’t thunder; it’s hearts cracking all over the world. No. It can’t be true,” Liza began. “@dollyparton joined the celestial choir. This is devastating for so many reasons. I love Dolly. And she was always a truly supportive friend. We cheered each other on many times. When I was in trouble? Dolly knew it.”

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Liza then credited their shared former agent Sam Haskell with bringing them together decades ago.

“We shared great, loving friends. Sam Haskell, President of Magnolia Hill Productions at Warner Bros. Discovery was mega-agent for Dolly, @michaelfeinsteinsings, me and television’s brightest stars,” she recalled. “Because of Sam, our tribe has special & beautiful memories of Dolly. Sam brought Dolly into our lives in powerful ways. Michael sang ‘Love Is Here To Stay’ with Dolly for his Gershwin Country album, which I Executive Produced. Of course, it was a hit.”

Liza continued, “What I’m not going to share tonight? Spicy girl gossip during great meals, after visiting each others’ concerts. After Sam left William Morris, he built a television empire starring Dolly in 12 of his films – winning every award, including Emmys. A loving nudge from my suit @jasonwintersgriot , said ‘Let’s follow Sam down the Yellow Brick Road and ask him to build something wonderful, for us.’ And he has. That’s another story.”

“There’s much to say at this moment. I can’t get any words out,” Liza concluded. “My throat … my heart … are full.”

Many other celebrities have also paid tribute to Dolly Parton on social media. See the other emotional messages.

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