Following Dolly Parton's death at age 80, Billboard has revisited its archive of photo shoots featuring the country music icon, highlighting her appearances as a cover star in 2020 and 2014. The retrospective serves as a tribute to Parton's decades-long career and her enduring connection with fans, coinciding with widespread mourning across the music industry following her passing on 25 August 2026.

The 2020 feature, part of Billboard's Country Power Players issue, saw Parton discuss keeping her Dollywood business afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic alongside her philosophy of generosity, while the 2014 interview touched on her marriage to the late Carl Dean and her strong LGBTQ fanbase. Parton's accolades included 10 Grammy Awards, 22 Billboard Hot 100 hits, and inductions into both the Country Music and Rock & Roll Halls of Fame. The photo shoots took place at NorthStar Studios in Nashville in September 2014 and again in Nashville in July 2020.