The late Dolly Parton is set to have a significant tribute with the renaming of Nashville International Airport in Tennessee in her honor. The airport’s board of commissioners approved the renaming, following a surge in support for the idea after the iconic singer’s recent passing at the age of 80.
Governor Bill Lee expressed that Dolly Parton’s remarkable life is deeply intertwined with Tennessee’s history and culture. He emphasized that renaming Nashville International Airport after the beloved singer is a fitting tribute to her enduring legacy of music, generosity, faith, and kindness.
Governor Lee highlighted the substantial economic impact Dolly Parton has on Tennessee, with her Dollywood theme park contributing an estimated $1.8 billion annually to the state’s economy. Born in Tennessee in 1946, Dolly Parton rose to global fame, starting her career at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville as a teenager.
While the exact timeline for the renaming process remains unclear, the airport’s current policy mandates a waiting period of at least two years after a person’s passing before naming any property after them. The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority is actively collaborating with relevant stakeholders to determine how best to incorporate Dolly Parton’s name and legacy into the airport’s new identity.