Piers Morgan reacts to death of Dolly Parton

Outspoken journalist Piers Morgan has expressed his deep grief and sorrow over the death of Dolly Parton.

Dolly, the country music star who rose from grinding poverty in Tennessee to become a rhinestone-studded cultural icon with hits like "Jolene" and "9 to 5," died at 80, her family said Tuesday.

Parton was more than a singer -- she wrote 3,000 songs, acted in major Hollywood films and donated millions of dollars to charities in her home state and beyond.

She was also an accomplished businesswoman, with her interests spanning from her popular Dollywood theme park to cosmetics, pet apparel, baking mixes and even a truck stop.

"Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus," her nephew Bryan Seaver said in a video announcing her death on social media.

As per report by AFP, Bryan said the multiple award-winning artist had "opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians, and dreamers from every walk of life."

Parton died after a brief battle with cancer, her third cousin Brent Allen confirmed.

"I feel like she's one of the last of the salt of the earth. She brought people together," Allen told AFP in Sevierville, Tennessee, the singer's home town.

Later, sharing the photo of Parton, Piers Morgan tweeted “RIP Dolly Parton.

“Never met her, never interviewed her (despite decades of unrequited requests) but thought she was utterly fabulous in every way.”