Country music legend Loretta Lynn dies at 90
![Loretta Lynn](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/N9RWaSnhsCTkYT9pBqgh3e-415-80.jpg)
Loretta Lynn, the legendary country music singer and songwriter known for hits like "Coal Miner's Daughter," has died. She was 90.
Lynn's family confirmed her death in a Tuesday statement to The Associated Press. "Our precious mom, Loretta Lynn, passed away peacefully this morning, Oct. 4th, in her sleep at home in her beloved ranch in Hurricane Mills," the family said.
Lynn was born in Kentucky and her father was a coal miner, inspiring one of her biggest hit songs as well as her autobiography, Coal Miner's Daughter. The book was adapted into a 1980 film in which Sissy Spacek played Lynn and won an Oscar for the performance.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Lynn's other hits include "You Ain't Woman Enough (To Take My Man)" and "You're Lookin' at Country." She won three Grammys but was nominated for 18, and she was honored as the 1970s artist of the decade by the Academy of Country Music. Lynn also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from former President Barack Obama in 2013.
"By telling her own truths, and by writing about her experiences with a perspective and voice unlike any other Southern storyteller, Loretta Lynn has become an American hero and a country music standard-bearer," said the Country Music Hall of Fame, to which Lynn was inducted in 1988.
Lynn continued releasing music in recent years, even after suffering a stroke in 2017, and her 46th solo album Still Woman Enough debuted in 2021.
Speaking with the Today show in 2018, Lynn said she would "give anything in the world" for her father to have been alive when she released "Coal Miner's Daughter."
"But I think he hears me," she said. "And one day, I will sing it to him."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
How can we fix tourism?
Today's Big Question Local protests over negative impact of ever-rising visitor numbers could change how we travel forever
By The Week UK Published
-
Simone Biles: Rising – an 'elegantly paced and vulnerable' portrait of the gymnast
The Week Recommends Netflix's four-part documentary is more than a 'riveting comeback story'
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Paloma recipe: the cocktail of the summer
The Week Recommends This refreshing drink balances the fresh and fizzy taste of grapefruit soda with a subtle flavour of smooth tequila
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published