Desk memos · CC-BY-4.0
A famous name that still takes the time to put TO: on the page.
Typed letter · 2016
duet partner and friend
“I'll always send you a message by pony express… you know how high tech I am!”
A typed thank-you after he helped her Imagination Library at Dollywood — signed, as ever, with I will always love you.
Fax · 2020
goddaughter
“How much do I love you? As much as my heart can hold and as far as my arms can reach.”
She still faxes. Miley has to collect them through a lawyer's office. The note was for Mother's Day.
Fax · 2021
goddaughter, once her TV niece
“Just know I'm always proud to be your Aunt Dolly.”
A fax after flowers for the Hannah Montana anniversary — proud to be Aunt Dolly on screen or off.
Song as a letter · 1973
boss, partner, the weekly stage
“I Will Always Love You — written as a farewell he could hear.”
Sometimes the letter is a song. She sat him down and sang the goodbye instead of arguing it.
Note with the song · 1992
the voice that carried her song around the world
“Be sure and make certain that that last verse can be sung.”
When The Bodyguard asked for the song, she sent it with one instruction: don't skip the last verse the way Linda Ronstadt had.
Short excerpts from interviews and auction coverage — not full letters. The index is CC-BY-4.0 in letters.json.
Open data harbor