Miranda Lambert is “heartbroken” to learn of the passing of country music icon, Loretta Lynn, who died on Tuesday (Oct. 4) at the age of 90.
The country superstar took to social media to share a touching tribute message in honor of the “Coal Miner’s Daughter” singer.
“I’m so heartbroken to hear about Loretta’s passing,” Lambert wrote on Instagram. ”She was so kind to me and she blazed so many trails for all of us girls in country music. Thank you for all the songs. Miss you. Fly high. 🦋💙”
Lambert and Lynn have a long-standing friendship and have formed a special connection over the last two decades.
In fact, in 2010 the superstars joined forces with Sheryl Crow to reimagine Lynn’s iconic hit “Coal Miner’s Daughter” for the album, Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Tribute to Loretta Lynn.
The 12-track project, which was released in 2010, celebrated Lynn’s 50th anniversary in the music industry and featured a star-studded list of artists paying tribute to the Country Music Hall of Famer, including Kid Rock, Gretchen Wilson, Paramore, Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire and more.
Lynn also presented Lambert with her first award for Female Vocalist Of The Year at the 2010 CMA Awards.
During the 2018 ACM Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena, Lambert performed “Keeper Of The Flame,” with an acoustic guitar that was signed by Lynn, who wrote: “I love you Miranda. Love you honey.”
Earlier this year, Lynn honored Lambert with a special message on social media after the “Strange” singer was awarded the prestigious Entertainer Of The Year Award at the 2022 ACM Awards.
“I’m still loving that @mirandalambert won Entertainer of the Year this year at the @acmawards. I love seeing these female artists getting the job done,” Lynn wrote on Twitter at the time. “At my place, it’s #InternationalWomensDay every day!”
Lynn also praised Lambert when she was listed on Time’s TIME100 List of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.
“Congrats, @mirandalambert! They figured out what we all knew already. #girlpower #keepitcountry #realcountry,” Lynn gushed on Instagram.
In July of 2022, Pam Tillis even dubbed Lambert to the new-age Loretta Lynn while chatting with Tracy Lawrence on his weekly radio show Honky Tonkin’ With Tracy Lawrence.
“Miranda [Lambert] has paved the way for this new crop of ladies,” said Tillis. “I think she’s our Loretta Lynn.”
Country music icon and Grand Ole Opry member, Loretta Lynn died at the age of 90 years old at her home in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee in the early morning hours of Tuesday, October 4.
Hours after Lynn’s passing, her family shared the following statement.
“Our precious mom, Loretta Lynn, passed away peacefully this morning, October 4th, in her sleep at home at her beloved ranch in Hurricane Mills,” the Lynn family said.
Lynn, who was born on April 14, 1932 in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky, is known as the Queen of Country Music after forging a path as a singer, songwriter, and entertainer while balancing her role as a wife and mother.
Over the course of her iconic 60-year career, Lynn earned a staggering 51 Top 10 hits and 16 No.1 hits to her name, including “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” “Fist City” and “Don’t Come Home A’ Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind).” She has also sold over 45 million albums worldwide.
Lynn has also garnered every accolade available in music from GRAMMY awards to induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. She has won four GRAMMY awards, seven American Music Awards and eight Country Music Association awards. She was the first woman to ever win the Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music Awards for Entertainer of the Year.
She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1988, the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2008, and was awarded the Kennedy Center Honors in 2003 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013.
Lynn’s death comes just days after she celebrated her 60th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. She joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1962.
Lynn was predeceased by her husband of 48 years Oliver Vanetta “Doolittle” Lynn, her daughter Betty Sue Lynn and son Jack Benny Lynn.
The legendary country singer is survived by her daughters Patsy Lynn Russell, Peggy Lynn, Clara (Cissie) Marie Lynn and her son Ernest Ray Lynn as well as grandchildren Lori Lynn Smith, Ethan Lyell, Elizabeth Braun, Tayla Lynn, Jack Lynn, Ernest Ray Lynn Jr., Katherine Condya, Alexandria Lynn, Jasyntha Connelly, Megan Horkins, Anthony Brutto, Jason Lynn, Wesley Lynn, Levi Lynn, Emmy Rose Russell, David Russell, Lucca Marchetti and step grandchildren David Greer, Jennafer Russell, Melody Russell and Natalie Rapp, and her great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the Loretta Lynn Foundation. Information about a memorial service/celebration of life will be made available at a later date. For more information, visit LorettaLynn.com.