Liza Minnelli posted a heartbroken testimonial to her friend Dolly Parton, who died on Tuesday at the age of 80 after a secret battle with cancer.
‘When I was in trouble? Dolly knew,” Minnelli, 80, wrote, presumably in reference to her own struggles with addiction and a turbulent love life that included four divorces.
Minnelli explained that they were introduced by their mutual agent Sam Haskell and reminisced about the “spicy girl gossip” they exchanged over “amazing meals” they shared after watching each other perform on stage.
‘The sound we hear is not thunder; they are hearts that are breaking all over the world. No. It can’t be true,” she wrote in response to news of Parton’s death.
“This is devastating for so many reasons. I love Dolly. And she was always a really supportive friend. We encouraged each other many times,” she added.
‘There’s a lot to be said at the moment. I can’t get the words out. My throat… my heart… is full,” the Oscar-winning actress wrote.
Liza Minnelli posted a heartbroken testimonial to her friend Dolly Parton, who died Tuesday at the age of 80 after a secret battle with cancer; pictured in 2009
She explained that Haskell not only represented her and Parton, but also Michael Feinstein, Minnelli’s longtime best friend and musical collaborator and the co-author of her new memoir Kids, Wait ‘Til You Hear This!.
‘Because of Sam, our tribe has special and beautiful memories of Dolly. Sam brought Dolly into our lives in powerful ways,” Minnelli recalled.
“Michael sang ‘Love Is Here To Stay’ with Dolly for his Gershwin Country album, which I executive produced. Of course it was a hit.’
Finding herself at a loss for words of grief, Minnelli quoted extensively from Haskell’s statement about Parton’s death. People.
Haskell, who worked with Parton for 44 years, called her “a woman of deep faith, dazzling humor, extraordinary integrity and boundless generosity.”
Minnelli had posted a glowing Instagram tribute to Parton in January as the Queen of Country celebrated her final birthday.
“You are a national treasure and everyone celebrates you. Thank you for giving from your heart every day,” the Arthur star wrote.
“Dolly, please know that people all over the world love you. God loves you so much…and so do I! Always, Liza,” the cabaret actress continued.
Minnelli reminisced about the “spicy girl gossip” they exchanged over “amazing meals” they shared after watching each other perform on stage; Parton pictured circa 1975
‘When I was in trouble? Dolly knew,” Minnelli, 80, wrote, presumably in reference to her own struggles with addiction and a turbulent love life that included four divorces.
Minnelli originated the title song of the 1977 Martin Scorsese film New York, New York, a song that has emerged as an unofficial anthem for the city.
Parton, meanwhile, became so identified with the country music capital of Nashville that moves are being made to rename the airport after her.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority issued a press release saying Parton’s representatives were open to the move Page six.
“Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state. From her rural mountain home in East Tennessee to global stages, Dolly carried the volunteer spirit with her,” Lee said in his statement.
“In a place where Tennessee welcomes the world, it is fitting that Nashville International Airport bears the name of our state’s favorite daughter and greets travelers with the lasting legacy of Dolly’s music, generosity, faith and kindness.”
