Leanne Morgan on Dolly Parton: 'We Hate to Give Her Up' // TRAIN BRAIN

Leanne Morgan on Dolly Parton: 'We Hate to Give Her Up'

Leanne Morgan shares a special connection to fellow Tennessean, the late Dolly Parton. Morgan told the 3rd Hour TODAY anchors that her grandchild received care in the NICU and her husband Chuck is a baby cuddler at the Dolly Parton Children's Hospital (also known as the East Tennessee Children's Hospital.) Morgan's daughter also had the chance to meet Parton while working at Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Parton's family announced her death on August 25, 2026. She was 80 years old.

TODAY

TODAY brings you the latest headlines and expert tips on parenting, food, home, style, and health and wellness....

General Mills has removed artificial colors from all of its U.S. cereals,

Couple Behind Lomar Farms on Importance and Joy of Beekeeping

Leanne Morgan on Dolly Parton: 'We Hate to Give Her Up'

Expert Shares Strategies to Approach Difficult Decisions

‘The Social Reckoning’ Drops Highly Anticipated Trailer

Tim Curry on Learning to Buttle for 'Clue'

Harry Styles Kicks off MSG Residency With Brand New Setlist

TODAY Fan Wins Tickets to Harry Styles MSG Residency

Dolly Parton Has an Unreleased Song in a Time Capsule

‘Love Island USA’ S8 Reunion Trailer Drops; S9 Confirmed

Remembering Legendary Actor Tim Curry

An American Airlines flight blew two tires while taxiing for takeoff at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport

How to Get a Real Customer Service Person on the Phone

Prince Harry and Meghan Arrive in the UK to Begin Their New Life

Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Connelly on ‘Dark Matter’ Season 2

How Dolly Parton Lived a Life of Wisdom, Humor and Generosity

A Look at Dolly Parton’s Close Relationships and Tight Knit Family

New Details in Jed York Arrest Revealed in Body Camera Footage

Meta Settles $18B in Landmark Child Safety Trial, Vows Changes

FDA Approves ‘Game-Changing’ Pancreatic Cancer Drug

Meta Promises Changes to Its Platforms After Landmark Settlement

Tim Curry, Star of ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show,’ ‘It,’ Dies at 80

Closing Arguments in Lindsay Clancy Trial Get Underway

FDA Approves ‘Game-Changing’ Pancreatic Cancer Drug

Miley Cyrus, Harry Styles Join Tributes for Dolly Parton

Hundreds Missing After Catastrophic Floods Slam Nepal

Erin Andrews on Miscarriage Experience

Dolly Parton on How to Live Like Dolly

Kathryn Stockett on ‘The Calamity Club,’ 17 Years After ‘The Help’ | Open Book with Jenna

Brendan Hunt on Jason Sudeikis Officiating His Wedding

Cornhole Pro Shares Tips to Make the Perfect Toss on TODAY

King Charles’ Guard Honors Dolly Parton with ‘9 to 5’ Performance

Dolly Parton Tells Hoda & Jenna About Writing "9 to 5"

See Dolly Parton’s First Appearance on TODAY in 1978

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Donated Over 200 Million Books to Children Worldwide

RAYE Brings Us Behind the Scenes at Her TODAY Show Concert | On in Ten

Fall Flower Gift Ideas: Coffee Carrier, Pressed Flower Frame, More

Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson Team up in ‘Brothers’

Dolly Parton Reveals What She Wants To Be Remembered For | Open Book With Jenna Bush Hager | TODAY

John and Patrick McEnroe Share US Open 2026 Predictions

Couple Behind Panda Express Talks Journey, Authenticity Debate

See a Sneak Peek of the Long-Awaited ‘Love Hypothesis’ Movie

What We Know About Dolly Parton Final Weeks, Health Struggles

2019: Dolly Parton Talks About The Imagination Library

Al Roker Shares Adorable Video of Him Bumping into Wife Deborah Roberts at the Airport

Dolly Parton Surprises a Superfan in the TODAY Control Room

Jack White Celebrates Dolly Parton’s Life With ‘Jolene’ Cover

Get a First Look at New ‘Wonka’s The Golden Ticket’ Reality Series

’30 Rock’ Cast to Mark 20th Anniversary With Non-Televised Event

Florida Shark Attack Survivor Recalls Near-Death Encounter

Two Unvaccinated People Die From Measles in Pennsylvania

Dolly Parton Talks About Her Aspirations in First Appearance on TODAY

Look Back at Dolly Parton’s Decades of TODAY Appearances

How Dolly Parton Blazed a Trail for Women in Country Music

2019: Dolly Parton Shares Words of Wisdom to Believe in Yourself

Dolly Parton said she wasn't worthy of the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame

Darline Graham Wins South Carolina GOP Senate Primary Runoff

Trump Administration Threatens to Demolish Kennedy Center

Canada Announces Counter-Tariffs on US as Trade War Ramps up

Remembering the Life and Legacy of Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton Dies at 80: Look Back at Her Life and Iconic Career

Dolly Parton Dies at 80 After ‘Brief Battle With Cancer’

New Details on Country Icon Dolly Parton’s Death

Dolly Parton Opens Up About Politics After Releasing 'World on Fire' in 2023

Love Jimothy? Meet Meemers, The Adorable Cat With Short Spine Syndrome

Sydney Sweeney Pulls Off a Tom Cruise-Style Plane Stunt

Florida Shark Attack Victim Saved by Off-Duty Nurses at the Scene

Robert De Niro on ‘Whisper Man,’ Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger

Dave Franco, O'Shea Jackson Jr., and Mason Thames Share How They Met

Jaleel White Talks ‘Totally ‘90s House,’ ‘Family Matters,’ More

‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days’ Sequel in the Works

Martha Stewart, Belmont Cameli Star in Starbucks' PSL Season Ad

Alabama High School Football Team Breaks 101-Game Losing Streak

Robert De Niro on TODAY

Jennifer Garner, Ina Garten Play Game of 'Who's Most Likely to...'

Watch: Toddler Invades Soccer Pitch Mid-Game

How to Build Financial Stability When Living Paycheck to Paycheck

Halloween Horror Nights Adds 'Sinners,' Ozzy Osbourne Houses

Free Money: How to Make the Most Out of the Cash Back Craze

Stars of ‘Idiots’ Talk Chemistry, the ‘Full Franco’ Experience, More