Television host Bill Maher is facing online criticism after making jokes about the worldwide memorials honoring country music star Dolly Parton, an icon widely celebrated for her extensive humanitarian contributions, who died last week at age 80.
During his show, the 70-year-old comedian addressed the public mourning following Parton’s passing, noting how landmarks around the globe reacted to the news.
“All this is going on and all America could really talk about this week was how sad it is that we lost Dolly Parton,” Maher said. “Everybody around the country, even around the world — (in) London they’re doing things. The Santa Monica Ferris wheel is lit up with hearts. The Empire State Building was put up in pink. The Sphere in Las Vegas added a nipple.”
The comment drew immediate pushback on social media, where viewers labeled it tasteless during a period of national mourning.
Parton died at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville surrounded by loved ones after what her team described as a short illness.
“After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” said a statement released by Pariseau on behalf of her team.
Parton had been admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center last Friday morning dealing with kidney and autoimmune issues. Earlier this month, she spoke about delaying her personal medical care while tending to her husband of 60 years, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025 at 82.
“I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” she said at the time.
More Than A Singer
Throughout her career, Parton was recognized for directing millions of dollars into healthcare, disaster relief, and underserved communities. Her philanthropic work included substantial funding for pediatric care and cancer treatment.
In 2017, she contributed $1 million to the pediatric cancer program at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, inspired by her niece’s successful treatment for leukemia there. In recognition of her decades of support, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital in Knoxville was officially renamed the Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital earlier this year.
Beyond pediatric cancer care, Parton founded the Imagination Library in 1995, an initiative inspired by her father’s inability to read that has provided hundreds of millions of free books to children in low-income and rural areas worldwide.
She also funded local health infrastructure in her hometown of Sevierville, including the Dolly Parton Center for Women’s Services at LeConte Medical Center, and provided millions in direct relief to East Tennessee families affected by natural disasters.
In the wake of her death, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Nashville International Airport officials announced a proposal to rename the facility Dolly Parton International Airport. Lee contacted Parton’s representatives regarding the proposal, noting that they were touched by the gesture and agreed to keep discussions open.
Her team confirmed that production will move forward on “Dolly: A True Original Musical,” which is scheduled to premiere on Broadway per Parton’s wishes.
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