The late Dolly Parton will soon have a new namesake as Nashville International Airport in Tennessee is set to be renamed in honor of the celebrated singer. The decision was made by the airport’s board of commissioners on Friday following a social media campaign by fans and the support of Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell and Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee.
Governor Lee stated that Dolly Parton’s remarkable life is deeply intertwined with the state of Tennessee and that renaming the airport after her is a fitting tribute to her enduring legacy of music, generosity, faith, and kindness. The move is seen as a way to recognize the significant economic and philanthropic contributions Parton brings to the state through her Dollywood theme park, estimated at over $1.8 billion annually.
Born in Tennessee in 1946, Dolly Parton has been a prominent figure in the music industry since her early years, performing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville as a teenager and later moving to the city to pursue her music career. The renaming process for the airport is currently underway, although the airport’s policy dictates a two-year waiting period after a person’s death before naming any property after them.
The exact name for the renamed airport honoring Dolly Parton has yet to be determined, with the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority working to carefully integrate her name and legacy into the airport’s identity.
