She was surrounded by family when she died of natural causes in her Tennessee home, TMZ reports.
Lynn earned critical acclaim for smash hits like “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man)” and “Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind),” which peaked at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
Her 1970 single “Coal Miner’s Daughter” chronicles her coal-mining father’s experience in Great Depression-era rural Kentucky. Lynne’s life story also spawned the 1980 film of the same name, which starred Sissy Spacek and Tommy Lee Jones.
The country star was known for her unabashedly strong spirit, with lyrics touching on real-life issues like love, broken marriages, sex and even birth control. Her singular style also lent to her overall mystique; Lynn would often don colorful ornate gowns emblazoned with rhinestones.
A pioneer for women in country music, Lynn was the first female to receive the Country Music Association’s “Entertainer of the Year” award in 1972—the CMA’s highest honor. She raked in numerous other distinctions in the decades since, getting inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1988. Lynne’s name was also engraved in a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the late 1970s.
Lynn told Newsweek in 2004 that her ex-husband, Oliver Lynn—known as “Doolittle” or “Doo”—was a support as she launched her career.
“Doo came in from work and I was singing the babies to sleep,” Lynn said at the time. “He thought I was a better singer than anyone out there on the radio. He said we should go out and try it for a few years—give it enough time to make some money and to buy a house, then I could quit. Two years later, we didn’t have enough money to buy a hamburger.”
Many on social media mourned the country music titan, including her family, peers and fans.
“Our precious mom, Loretta Lynn, passed away peacefully this morning, October 4th, in her sleep at home at her beloved ranch in Hurricane Mills,” Lynn’s family wrote in a tweet, also asking for privacy to grieve.
Actress Lynda Carter, who rose to fame thanks to her fierce portrayal of Wonder Woman, commemorated the late singer in a touching tweet.
“I am glad she was able to share her wisdom and talent with the world for as long as she did. We will miss her. R.I.P. Loretta Lynn,” Carter tweeted, adding a heart emoji.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee also paid tribute to Lynn on Twitter.
“Maria & I are saddened to hear of the passing of Loretta Lynn, a country music icon, TN treasure & dear friend,” he wrote. “We join all Tennesseans in celebrating Loretta’s remarkable life, & our prayers are with her family & loved ones.”
Singer-songwriter Stella Parton, younger sister of Dolly Parton, described feeling devastated.
“My heart is broken with the news of my sweet friend Loretta Lynn passing,” she tweeted, along with a photo of her posing with Lynn. “I will remember all the sweet visits and laughs we shared. RIP sweet Angel.”
Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden acknowledged Lynn’s contribution to America’s historical record.
“Loretta Lynn’s music will forever be part of our collective cultural history,” she wrote in a tweet. “Some of her music incl manuscripts are part of the @librarycongress collection. She gave voice to a generation and was truly one of the queens of country music.”
Grammy-award-winning country artist Kacey Musgraves also grieved the songstress’s passing, tweeting simply “Loretta” with a broken heart emoji.
And Parker McCollum, a Texas-based Americana and country singer-songwriter, noted the loss that Lynn’s death marks for country music.
“Listening to nothing but Loretta Lynn for the rest of the week,” he tweeted. “RIP to an absolute icon in country music. Damn.”
Newsweek has reached out to Lynn’s press team for comment.
Updated 10/04/2022, 12:15 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with reactions from Loretta Lynn’s family, friends and fans.