Just 10 days before her death at 80, Dolly Parton used her final social media post to look back on one of the most beloved partnerships of her career. Rather than focusing on herself, the country legend shared a throwback performance with her late friend and frequent collaborator Kenny Rogers.
According to Enterainment Weekly, the post marked 43 years since “Islands in the Stream,” the 1983 duet that became a defining hit for both stars. In hindsight, the final tribute gives the Dolly Parton-Kenny Rogers friendship an especially poignant place in the last days of her public life. Parton died on August 25, 2026, her family confirmed.
Dolly Parton’s Final Post Looked Back on ‘Islands in the Stream’
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On August 15, Parton shared a clip of herself performing with Rogers and simply celebrated the song’s 43rd anniversary. The pair originally released “Islands in the Stream” in 1983, and the song topped both the country and pop charts. It became one of the most recognizable duets of their careers and helped cement a musical partnership that lasted for decades.
Their work together did not end with one hit. Parton and Rogers reunited for “Real Love,” recorded “We’ve Got Tonight,” released the holiday album Once Upon a Christmas, toured together, and appeared in several television specials. What began as a successful collaboration grew into a genuine friendship that both singers continued to celebrate long after their biggest chart successes.
The Dolly Parton-Kenny Rogers Friendship Lasted Beyond the Music
