Keep reading to learn more about the Queen of Country music, her most interesting achievements, failures, and even a few surprises we’re sure you never knew.
Dolly’s Childhood Years
Dolly Rebecca Parton was born on January 19, 1946, to Avie Lee Caroline, and Robert Lee Parton. She lived with her family in a tiny one-room cabin in Sevierville, Tennessee. Robert was a small-time business owner who sold tobacco and worked in construction. Her mother, Avie, stayed at home and raised the kids. Dolly was the fourth child in line out of a whole dozen.
On Sundays, the family would often go to church where Dolly’s grandfather was the pastor. The Parton family lived in abject poverty. Still, they were quite happy and loved each other. Little Dolly began performing at church by the age of six, where she showed great potential. By the time she was eight years old she even had her own guitar.
Girl Wonder
From a very young age, Dolly Parton had already proven herself as a talented musician. She began performing as a child, mostly by singing on local radio and TV programs in East Tennessee. By the age of ten, the young singer had already appeared on "The Cas Walker Show", and found herself recording her first single just a few years later.
Parton also had a lucky encounter with legendary singer Johnny Cash while singing at the Grand Ole Opry hotel. The veteran singer told her to go after her dreams and trust her gut when it came to music. Although Dolly was appearing regularly as a performer, her family was still facing the same economic issues, as she was still years away from banking good money for her musical talents.
Moving to Nashville
When Dolly graduated from Sevier County High School in 1964, she didn't waste a single day and drove off to Nashville, Tennessee the following night. The city is known as the center of country music and many popular country artists achieved their claim to fame there. Upon arrival, she was signed with Combine Publishing and began writing various singles that were later recorded by successful music artists.
Despite being very successful as an up-and-coming songwriter, Parton knew that she was there for a different reason. At age 19, she was finally picked up by a major record label that wanted her in the spotlight. That’s when she really started gaining popular acclaim.
First Hit Single
When Monument Records approached Dolly in 1965, she was still just 19 years old, but as ready as anyone can be for performing. The studio had initially thought of her as a mainstream bubblegum pop singer, but the singer was adamant that she wanted a career in country music. Monument initially resisted the idea, mostly because they believed her unique voice was not suited for the genre.
The young aspiring singer kept releasing singles until one of them made the list. It was the song "Put It Off Until Tomorrow", which she recorded with Bill Phillips. With all that effort, however, she remained uncredited for that song. The song got to number six on the country chart and the studio gave her the green light to record a country album. She soon released her first album titled "Hello, I'm Dolly".
Teaming Up With Wagoner
Thanks to her rising popularity and promising future, Dolly was approached in 1967 by Porter Wagoner with an opportunity. The beloved country star and entertainer invited Dolly, who'd been in Nashville for just three years at this point, to work with him on various projects. The young singer got to participate in Wagoner's beloved TV program "The Porter Wagoner Show" and even took part in his roadshows.
Porter Wagoner was originally accompanied by Norma Jean, who was widely beloved among his fans. When Parton replaced her audiences were very public about their disapproval but over time Parton managed to gain the love of his audiences and was even signed on to Wagoner's label, RCA Victor. The two immediately hit it big and released hit after hit for a full six years enjoying much success, fame, and fortune in the process.
An Abysmal Solo Debut
Riding on the back of her success with Wagoner, Dolly decided to try her luck as a solo country artist. In 1968, she released her first solo single with RCA Victor, "Just Because I'm a Woman", and reached number seventeen on the country charts. For more than two years the singer worked hard to position herself as a successful solo artist, however, things weren't going for her and nothing seemed to work.
She received various awards for her duets with Wagoner and was even named with him as the Vocal Group of the Year by the Country Music Association but she wanted more. She wanted to be admired in her own right and not only as part of a duo. Wagoner believed in Dolly and was willing to stake some serious financial resources in seeing her succeed. Eventually, after a long and frustrating period, he had a brilliant idea, and asked Parton to cover Jimmie Rodgers' "Mule Skinner Blues".
First Taste of Solo Success
Wagoner's gamble was successful, as Parton's rendition of "Mule Skinner Blues" reached number three in the charts. The next single, "Joshua", was her first one to be ranked first place. From there, Parton enjoyed two years of a steady succession of solo hits including her signature song "Coat of Many Colors". She was enjoying massive success both as a solo musician and in her duets with Wagoner.
In April 1974, the two made their last performance as a team and transitioned from a duet into business partners. Dolly was on fire and even managed to compose both "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You" in a single songwriting session. From there, the sky was looking clear for Dolly, and she became very interested in transitioning into the mainstream Pop music genre. She was the hottest new name around.
Becoming a National Sensation
By the late '70s, Dolly's career was skyrocketing with many consecutive hit singles and even her very own variety show called "Dolly!". She began getting covered by various upcoming performers and her family members were getting recording contracts thanks to having the same family name. Around that time, Parton had her sights set on going mainstream by changing her style to pop music and she set out on an aggressive crossover campaign.
She hired Sandy Gallin and Gary Klein, two known names in the industry, to help her out. By 1977 her album "Here You Come Again" sold over a million copies and her crossover albums were just as successful. The talented singer was a national success story.
Acting Career
Dolly Parton set her sights on acting quite early in her career and has appeared in many films and TV shows over the years. She knew that a great way to expand her influence would be to appear on the big screen too. Her first official acting job was in the 1980 comedy "9 to 5" which became a major box office hit and helped boost her recognition even more.
She also teamed up with Sylvester Stallone for the 1984 comedy film "Rhinestone" which unfortunately wasn't nearly as successful. Parton still appears in the occasional movies and in 2019 released "Dolly Parton's Heartstrings", an eight-part Netflix series that revolved around her career.
Dolly and Dean
Dolly and Carl Thomas Dean, a retired asphalt road-paving company owner, got married in early 1966. Despite the singer's popularity, Dean was much more secluded and rarely appeared at public events. Dolly also claims that her husband has only seen her perform once throughout her entire career but maintains that they have a very loving and romantic marriage nonetheless.
When asked in 2011 about the state of her marriage to Dean, the singer said, "We're really proud of our marriage. It's a first for both of us. And the last." The two have renewed their vows in 2016 after five decades of marriage, and appear to be going strong. This is an extremely rare case in the entertainment industry, which just goes to show what an incredible and loving person Dolly is.
Establishing Her Own Brand
Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner were a huge thing back in the early ‘70s. The two were selling hit singles like lemonade on a hot summer's day. Everything they did together worked out successfully. They were involved in everything from a combined musical career to a duet tour and even hosted "The Porter Wagoner Show" together.
Unfortunately, as great as they were alongside one another, Dolly knew her dream was to establish herself as a solo artist. The two officially announced the end of their partnership on February 19, 1974, after more than seven years of working together.
An Unfortunate Ending
Despite their captivating on-screen chemistry, things were not so great behind the scenes for Parton and Wagoner. They both knew what was best. Taking the move was difficult for Wagoner, however, Dolly knew what had to be done. It was time to part their ways.
Things really got bad when Wagoner officially sued Dolly for breach of contract. This started a long beef that continued for decades between the two. Although the two were officially separated when it came to business, their bond was much stronger. Just before leaving, Dolly recorded a wonderful song just for Wagoner.
I Will Always Love You
Arguably one of Dolly Parton’s greatest hits "I Will Always Love You" is a beautiful ballad of heartfelt emotions. Parton dedicated the song specifically to Wagoner. When asked about its meaning she told CMT that the song is about her departure and about the fact that she will never stop loving him. She loved him, that was for sure, but knew it was time to move on.
Dolly shared the song with Porter. He cried while listening to it and said that was the prettiest song he has ever heard. He set her free and said she could go providing he could produce the record. And so he did.
Healing Their Divisions
Dolly and Wagoner were estranged both personally and professionally for several decades since their unfortunate departure. This was particularly sad considering that the older country icon was responsible for much of the foundation of Parton’s success. Still, Dolly certainly came through and managed to fix things towards the end.
Back in 2007, when Wagoner was 80 years old, the loving singer visited him just before he was about to lose a long battle. His medical situation was poor. Dolly stayed with him all the way until the very end.
Dolly's Writing Journey
Despite being mostly known as a singer at this point, Dolly built the foundation of her success in songwriting. Unlike many singers, she wrote most of her own songs and was responsible for writing various hit singles throughout the years. Some of her songs, such as "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You" have become known in almost every household across the United States and around the world.
Parton was nominated for a Best Original Song Academy Award multiple times and has also been nominated for the Broadcast Film Critics Association Award and the Golden Globe for Best Original song in 2005. Dolly captured the hearts of millions throughout her long career and in addition to her musical talents, she was also a savvy businesswoman.
She Plays Everything
Speaking of being an extremely talented lady, many people don’t know that Dolly Parton can play just about every instrument in her shows. She might not be a virtuoso in all of them, but just knowing how to play a tune on any instrument at all is a wonderful addition.
She told Vogue in 2016 that she comes from a very musical family and that everybody played something. When she was a little girl she recalls sitting with her siblings, each one grabbing onto an instrument and they would just play what came to mind.
She Wrote Thousands of Songs
One of Dolly Parton’s greatest strengths is her ability to spit out ingenious lyrics at the drop of a hat. She wrote two of her most popular songs in a single songwriting session, but it actually goes much deeper than that. Parton began writing songs at seven years old and still continues to do so to this day.
Over the years she has contributed to the music industry some iconic lyrics. "9 to 5", "Coat of Many Colors", "Islands in the Stream", and "Here You Come Again" are only some of the best creations that are timeless and will follow her for years.
Parton Often Writes Songs While Traveling
With a busy touring schedule, a few companies to take care of, and loving family life, just where does Dolly get the time to write so many songs? The singer actually had a great answer to this and proved just how creative she can get when there’s something she wants to do.
Parton writes mainly when she's on the bus on tour. It's the only time she can really concentrate and dedicate herself to reading and writing. She writes almost every day — thoughts, songs, phrases, and dreams.
Her Hidden Source of Inspiration
The talented singer has been making music since she was just seven years old. It seems that her passion, creativity, and abilities are almost limitless, as she still continues to impress us even today. Many people wonder just where Dolly gets her inspiration motivation and drive from and she actually has a very interesting answer.
In 2014, Parton said in one interview that she had known for years that music was what she was purposed to do in life. That she has an inner voice that keeps telling her to go on and that nothing would ever stop her. Not a sickness nor a heartache would ever make her stop.
Dolly Is a Fierce Businesswomen
If there’s one thing that Hollywood taught us over the years it’s that talent and creativity aren’t enough to succeed in show business. No matter how much potential you have, if it isn’t backed up with hard work and discipline — nothing can truly come out of it. Part of the success behind Dolly Parton’s career has been her focus on treating her music as a professional business.
In 2017, she told BBC News about the best career advice she ever received from her father. He told her never to let anyone take advantage of her especially when it came to business, so she treated music as a business. She explained that he wasn't a very educated man but was very wise.
The World’s Most Iconic Cover
Dolly’s iconic song, "I Will Always Love You", remains one of the most recognizable lyrical performances of all time. It regained its popularity back in 1992 when Whitney Houston covered it for the popular action film "The Bodyguard". In fact, it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 weeks. The song is also the world’s best-selling female single in history.
"I Will Always Love You" was later played at Houston’s funeral which almost broke the singer’s heart. Dolly said that when the coffin was lifted up she felt as if someone just stabbed her in the back. It was too much for her to handle. That song had an effect on most people she knew.
Dolly and Whitney's Relationship
Almost everyone will admit that Whitney Houston’s version of “I Will Always Love You” was not only much more successful but also better received than Dolly’s original rendition. This led tabloids and other gossip channels to create rumors that Dolly was jealous of Houston, and harbored ill feelings towards her. This wasn’t only inaccurate, it was actually the opposite of the truth.
Both Parton and Houston admired and loved each other. In 1993, Houston told Rolling Stone that she had personally thanked Parton at one point. Houston said that Paron thanked her and was honored that she covered her song.
She’s Extremely Talented Financially
Dolly treats money differently than most people. Her rough background and inspirational parents led her to adopt a very financially responsible position and she has benefited greatly from it. From the minute she started making money she invested it wisely and saved it for a rainy day.
Dolly Parton’s business mentality and unwillingness to let luck control her destiny led to an accumulated net worth of over half a billion dollars. She still makes great money and works hard to earn it despite having more than she could ever do anything with. The singer earned a reported $37 million between 2016 and 2017 mostly from touring and her theme park.
Let's Get Down to Business
Dolly took her sizable profit and used it open a company called "The Dollywood Company". She invested much of her income in that company. She began to grow considerable assets including a theme park, a dinner theater restaurant, Dolly Parton's Stampede, the Dollywood's Splash Country waterpark, and the Dream More Resort and Spa.
Dolly Parton’s theme park is the world's 24th most popular theme park in the United States and averages more than three million annual visitors. It's quite clear that Parton has done a great job securing her assets and creating generational wealth for her children and their children too. As of 2019, the popular singer, actress, and businesswoman is worth around $500 million.
Dolly Stays Away From Amusement Parks
You’d think that someone who owns one of the world’s most successful theme parks would be a huge fan of the attraction, but not Dolly. With Dolly, things are never quite so simple. The singer claims that she stays as far away from them as possible. And it has nothing to do with her being too successful to wait a few minutes in line.
The actual reason is that she tends to get motion sickness quite easily. Her daddy used to say, that she could never be a sailor, a miner, or a pilot. Dolly says she used to get sick on the school bus and despite that she somehow managed to create an incredible theme park of her own. Go figure…
She Lost a Dolly Parton Contest to a Look-Alike
Dolly Parton has such a unique and easily identifiable look that it would be almost impossible to miss her on the street. Her face was always highly recognizable and her puffy hair and distinct figure help a lot too. A few decades ago, the singer heard that a Dolly Parton Look-Alike contest was being held on Santa Monica Boulevard.
The participants were all dressed in exaggerated blonde wigs, a lot of makeup, and her signature fashion style. Parton decided to go visit the event and try to compete in her own competition. According to her, she walked on stage and tried to see if people would recognize her. Not only did nobody notice it was Dolly, but she actually lost the competition by a wide margin!
She’s an Amazing Godmother
Love her or hate her, it’s almost impossible to ignore Miley Cyrus. She began her entertainment career while working with Nickelodeon as a child star and daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus. Since then, Cyrus has graduated as a full-time rockstar. The young entertainer has been the subject of much controversy, thanks to her wild showbusiness lifestyle.
Despite their differences, Cyrus and Parton are both very talented singers who are linked together through Dolly being Miley's godmother. When Parton was asked in 2014 what she thought about her godchild's change in image, Parton said that Miley took it to extreme measures and while they don’t always see things eye to eye, the love is most certainly there.
Supporting Her Godchild
While Dolly clearly chose a very different path in life than her young godchild, she is very accepting and loves her regardless. When Parton was asked by TIME Magazine if she has any concerns about Miley’s future, she said if she hadn't known how smart and talented Miley was, she might have worried about her.
Dolly said that Miley did a great job as Hannah Montana, but people were going to leave her there forever… The girl is smart and she doesn’t have to be so drastic. Parton respects her choices in life and says that if she did it her way there is no reason why anyone else can't.
Where She Got Her Signature Look From
Dolly Parton’s unique look has been the subject of admiration for decades. Somehow, despite aging over time, the singer looks just as vibrant and beautiful as she did when she was just getting started. Parton has also been a huge inspiration in the LGBTQ+ community, especially among drag queens and other fabulous performers who look up to her.
When asked by ABC News where she got the idea for her iconic look, Parton said that she once knew a woman that she found absolutely beautiful. She had fabulous yellow hair red lipstick and never-ending high heels. She wanted to look just like her. She was Parton's inspiration.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination
There’s nothing more precious to an artist than their imagination and creativity — it's arguably their most important asset and source of success. Dolly Parton realized this early on, which prompted her to run a program called Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The organization sends a book every month to children enrolled in its program up until they reach kindergarten age.
Almost a million children throughout Australia, the UK, Canada, and the United States are part of the program and get the monthly book sent to them. This means that the Imagination Library sends almost twelve million books annually which is quite an incredible number. Books help stimulate a child’s imagination and help develop them into amazing talented adults.
Her Father Inspires Her
Dolly Parton’s inspiration for starting The Imagination Library program came from quite an unlikely source. In a 2015 interview with Paper Magazine, Dolly said that it all really started with her daddy. He was, without a doubt, the smartest man she has ever known, but he could not read very well. She added that her Daddy did an incredible job of providing a good life for her family but there is no telling what he could have achieved if he had learned to read.
She went on to and added that The Imagination Library is just one way for her to honor him. Not long before he passed, he told her he was more proud of her for the Imagination Library than anything else she had ever done.
Parton's Foundation Helps the Poor
Another incredible venture that Dolly is responsible for is The Dollywood Foundation. This organization helps states with poor economic situations by bringing jobs and new taxes to them. The added work and government revenue help stimulate more jobs and growth, leading to a cycle of improvement. Parton also raises money for various other charities and organizations.
One example of the singer’s kindness is a donation she gave of half a million dollars to a hospital in Sevierville. Parton is also big on inspiring the younger generation to dream and go after their goals. She gave a commencement address in 2009 at the University of Tennessee where she inspired the audience to dream big and go for it.
Her Live and Let Live Attitude
While Dolly is extremely generous and uses her vast fortune to help people all around the world, she never tries to shame other celebrities into being like her. The singer believes in a “live and let live” attitude, and prefers to let everyone make their own choices.
One thing she never does is tell people what they should be doing. All she can do is speak for herself, and she has always felt she has an obligation to give back. For her, it means a lot of different things.
Annual LGBTQ+ Day
As we’ve mentioned, Dolly Parton is quite a hero among the LGBTQ+ community. She’s been admired for helping others express themselves and be who they feel they are. Parton hosts an annual “Gay Day” at her renowned Dollywood theme park. This is quite a popular attraction for the gay community and Dolly says that everyone is invited to attend and join the fun.
She says that it’s a place for entertainment, a place for all families. She added that if people want to pass judgment let them pass. They are committing the biggest sin of judgment. That’s quite an interesting take on religion!
She’s a Parent Figure to Many
While it’s impossible for Dolly Parton to be the godmother of everyone out there, she can do her best to inspire and love from a distance. The singer expressed to The Guardian that she feels everyone, especially the LGBTQ+ community, has a special place in her heart. When people don’t feel accepted by their families, they know Dolly will always love and accept them.
Dolly told The Guardian that people don't come to see her, they come to see her see them. She has fought for the right to be herself, so that is one of the reasons people of all kinds relate to her. They know that she appreciates everybody for who they are.
She Was Severely Depressed
Dolly’s life wasn’t always easy, and she had to face many challenges. Unlike many celebrities, the singer and business mogul managed to keep things wrapped behind closed doors and didn’t share her struggles with the public. That all changed in the book, "Interviews and Encounters with Dolly Parton", which shares many of her personal stories and secrets.
One of the most startling things she shared was that her relationship with Carl Dean was an open one. Parton also detailed that she went through a horrible breakup with another man and found herself depressed. At one point she was seriously considering taking her life but changed her mind thanks to her dog, a Boston Terrier named Popeye.
One of the Proudest Moments of Her Life
A few years ago, Dolly Parton helped to co-write an article for CNN where she detailed and outlined one of the proudest moments of her entire life. The singer shared that it had nothing to do with fame or her musical success. Her proudest moment came in 2016 when she got a chance to help countless families who lost their homes in the Tennessee wildfires.
Parton had founded an organization called “My People Fund”, which ended up giving $1,000 per month to almost a thousand unfortunate families. She even surprised the families and included an additional $5,000 per family.
Dolly Parton’s Award Collection
Over her many generations as an actress, singer, songwriter, businesswoman, and humanitarian, Dolly Parton has received numerous awards for her success. In 1987, she spent five weeks at the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Country Albums chart and received a Grammy Award for Album of the Year.
The singer also received awards for her acting and was honored for her humanitarian efforts, and even went on to get inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999. Parton also won a Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album and a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. Is there anything that Dolly Parton can’t do?
Her Marriage Is Extremely Private
One of the classiest things about Dolly Parton is that she has always respected her husband’s need for privacy. The singer kept details about their relationship in tight wraps, and the two are rarely — if ever — seen in public together. This isn’t due to a distance between them but is actually a way for them to keep their romance and love strong.
She said that her husband is not one who wants to be just thrown out there. He’s very private, and she has always respected that for him and about him. They just happily live their lives and try to keep as much as they can private.
Parton Has a Huge Wig Collection
It’s no secret that Dolly Parton loves dressing flashy and being the most visible person in the room. While it may seem like she does this from a place of insecurity, she actually doesn’t care what other people think and does it purely for her own enjoyment and expression. The singer recently claimed that she has a dedicated closet full of wigs to choose from.
She travels with Cheryl Riddle, her hairdresser, practically everywhere. She has a cabinet in the back of the bus to carry show wigs and she can't clearly say how many of them she has.
Practically Everyone Recognizes Her
One thing that nobody tells you about becoming a huge celebrity is that you basically lose the ability to go out in public without being noticed. Dolly attempted this back in the early 2000s when she tried going Christmas shopping with her friends by completely changing her looks. Let’s just say it didn’t exactly go according to plan…
In 2009, Dolly did her makeup completely differently and wore a short black wig, and wore different clothes. She was in a record shop buying stuff with friends that nobody would have recognized. She then said something, and a group of kids came up to her and said "You’re Dolly Parton in a black wig." Her voice is just as recognizable as her looks.
She Still Has Strong Roots in Her Home
Dolly Parton’s upbringing had more to do with her success than just about anything. She was born in a rural town and lived in a state of abject poverty. Despite these challenges, her parents gave her all the love, lessons, and guidance she needed to become an incredible person. That’s why Parton made sure to restore her original home many decades after becoming a success.
The singer appeared on "The Nate Berkus Show" and said that her brother Bobby was a great carpenter. He worked on the house and restored it. They tried to make it look like it did when they lived there and wanted to keep it functional. Parton spent a couple of million dollars making it look like she spent $50 on it! She even made the bathroom look like an outdoor toilet.
The Most Outrageous Thing She’s Ever Done
We’d imagine that a list of the most outrageous things that Dolly Parton has ever done would run as long as a grocery store receipt. She is known for having a very daring and flamboyant personality, which means that there are probably many adventures in her past that nobody even knows about. Dolly was asked by Rolling Stone about the most daring thing she’s ever done…
She claims that her most outrageous experience was running naked with her friend in public. She opened the door and began running. Then it suddenly hit her that she was in her birthday suit. She was so embarrassed but felt so proud that she had done it.
Her Acting Debut
Dolly Parton was excited to appear in the 1980 film "9 to 5" alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. Despite being offered quite a few roles in the past, this was the first one that she actually wanted to do. The movie was highly successful, and the theme song she recorded for the film ended up reaching number one in three different charts, giving her a triple number-one hit.
In a 1980 interview with Rolling Stone, Parton said that she instantly knew that she had to do it. Jane Fonda knew it too. Fonda was driving down the freeway when a song came on the radio, and she was familiar with Dolly's personality. She wanted her on the set.
Preparing for 9 to 5
You can probably imagine how stressful it must have been for Dolly Parton to appear in her first role in a major Hollywood film. The singer had no practical acting experience before first debuting in "9 to 5", but she didn’t let that stop her for a moment. Dolly told Rolling Stone just how she prepared for the role, and honestly? We’re not surprised.
Dolly Parton said how funny it was. She didn't know exactly what the movie was about she just knew that she would do it as well as anybody else. She memorized the entire script and had the time of her life.
A Cloned Sheep Was Named After Her
Of all the ways you could honor the popular singer, cloning a sheep and naming it after her would probably not appear on our list. We’re not scientists, however, because that’s exactly what one of them decided to do. In mid-1997, scientists at the Roslin Institute in Edinburgh managed to clone the world’s first sheep from an adult cell. They decided to name their creation, Dolly.
The experiment was a massive success and made the team’s leader, Dr. Lam Wilmut, a household name for a short while. He was asked during an interview about the motivation for naming their sheep “Dolly”. In his response, Dr. Wilmut said, “Dolly is derived from a mammary gland cell and we couldn’t think of a more impressive pair of glands than Dolly Parton’s.”
Lots of Plastic Surgeries
It doesn’t take an expert to notice that Dolly has gone through quite a bit of plastic surgeries throughout her life, especially in later decades. While many celebrities use it as a way to hide their aging looks, she’s actually proud of it. During an interview, Dolly commented that she may look fake but she's real for where it counts.
The singer claims she’s able to go through her entire makeup routine in just under fifteen minutes, and from there she can just about be herself. When asked about her plastic surgeries, she made the iconic remark that it costs a lot of money to look that cheap. She made it clear that this was her choice and had nothing to do with insecurities. And judging by her actions, she must have been telling the truth.
She’s Notoriously Non-Political
While many Hollywood celebrities have managed to alienate large parts of their fanbase by spouting political opinions, Dolly prefers to take a backseat when it comes to public political opinion. Much like her marriage, she keeps these opinions private and approaches the public with the same live and let live motto we have gotten to adore her for.
Dolly is one of the only popular entertainment figures that stay clear out of politics. Dolly said once that she might run for the presidency herself because she has the hair for it. She doesn't get involved in political things.
Jolene Jolene
We suppose you have asked yourself who was the great hit "Jolene" written about. Who is this emerald-green-eyed lady that men find irresistible? Well, Dolly's anthology series "Heartstrings" gives us a fair idea as to what inspired her to put those lyrics together. Dolly tasted the bitter flavor of dishonesty and the story of Jolene is based on her real-life events.
A gorgeous redhead flirted with her husband which arose all different kinds of new emotions with Dolly that she never experienced before. The meaningless exchange between Dolly's husband and the redhead ended pretty fast, and thanks to Jolene, Dolly made loads of money.
The King Will Always Love You
Before the 1992 Whitney Huston Cover for "I Will Always Love You", the king of Rock N Roll, Elvis Presley was in line for covering the song. At first, it all seemed great but later Dolly realized that she would have to contribute 50% of publishing royalties so the deal was off.
People around her kept telling her that she had lost her mind. It's THE KING we are talking about here. And Dolly, being Dolly, was loyal to her heart and refused the offer.
Dolly's Ink
Dolly's tattoos have always been a controversial issue among her fans and in 2020 she finally cleared the clouds. Apparently, she wasn't very well for some time, and the medication she received left small scars all over her body. She didn't like them. They made her feel vulnerable so she decided to cover them up for good.
She tattooed beautiful butterflies (one of Dolly's iconic symbols), and bows to decorate her body. Dolly added that the tattoos are not there to make a statement of any sort, but just a tasteful covering for the scars she wanted to hide.
Childhood Friendship
Dolly Parton likes to hang on to the past. We see it in her childhood home and we see it with Judy Ogle, her best friend for over 65 years. Rumors about the two came and left and their special and strong friendship remains.
The two met at school when they were little. Their parents were very close friends and they have been together since. One is quiet and modest and the other the complete opposite. Which is which?
A Real-Life Size Dolly
In Sevierville, Dolly's hometown, there is a memorable mark of the legend. In 1987 Jim Gray, a local artist, sculptured Dolly Parton in real size all made of bronze. The statue is barefooted and holds a guitar. Although the stature doesn't resemble the looks of Parton these days, it is still the most popular stop on the walking tour in Sevierville.
It's located just around the corner from Dollywood. She is much appreciated in her hometown as the residents see this statue as a symbol of their gratitude.
The Early Hours of the Morning
Dolly Parton has a lot of many things. She has a lot of fans, a lot of blond hair, a lot of great hits, and a lot to say. There is one thing Dolly lacks and that is sleeping hours. She can be caught answering fan mails at 3 AM or meditating before the birds have even sang their morning chirps.
Parton says that she gets more work done between 3 am and 8 am than any other time of the day. The pure silence that surrounds her helps her concentrate and meditate better.
She Is a Philanthropist
And what exactly does that mean? This means that Dolly donated a lot of money to all sorts of foundations, that she promotes the welfare of others and the less fortunate, and does everything she can in her powers for good causes. Save the Music Foundation and the Boot Campaign are only two of the charities she donates to regularly over the years.
She encourages pupils to finish school by giving them money when they graduate which has led to a decrease of over 6% in dropout rates.
She Goes to Bed All Ready Made Up
Dolly's makeup is one of her signature hallmarks and she is never caught without it. No one knows what she looks like underneath all of those layers. Dolly said that she will never be unprepared. You never know what can happen or where your bus might end up, or which hotel can catch fire in the middle of the night.
She leaves everything on and then in the morning she removes it and puts on a fresh layer. Her biggest nightmare is someone seeing her red-handed and bare-faced.
More Than One Guinness World Record
Not many musicians hold a Guinness World record. Dolly Parton is one of these few. In 2018, she received the honorable title of Best Female Artist With a collection of Guinness records. Her first record was for Most Decades With a Top 20 Hit on the US Hot Country Songs Chart (she beat the kind Presley) and the second record was for Most Hits on US Hot Country Songs Chart By a Female Artist, an astonishing 107 hits.
She felt proud and honored for the gifts God had blessed her with and is thankful for every day she continues to make music. Over the years, Dolly has become a symbol of country music, the queen of this genre. A title that can never be taken away.
She Can Cook
125 recipes are bound in Dolly's cookbook, named "Dolly’s Dixie Fixin’s: Love, Laughter and Lots of Good Food". It includes her favorite southern dishes, all memorable flavors of her childhood. It has a recipe for creamed vegetable soup, chicken dumplings, and her all-time favorite, catfish, the way her mother used to make it.
The recipes were taken from her late mother Avie Lee Parton, ‘Mama’ Ginnie Dean, her mother-in-law, Dixie Stampede kitchens, and many more. The book is adorned with photos of her family and friends which make this creation dear to Parton's heart.
Ches(s)t Pie
Everyone has birthday cake on their birthday except for Dolly Parton. She prefers birthday pie, and not just any pie, it has to be chess pie. The joke of Dolly preferring chest pie has seen better days. She is still waiting for the day a Dolly chest joke will make her laugh.
It's actually a relatively simple pie that consists of a very thick baked custard made of eggs and milk. It originates from the south and gets its name from the first man who made it, calling it "just pie" in a strong southern accent.
A Pocket full of Oatmeal
A unique birth story is something to cherish. When Dolly was born, her mother and father had no money. They were so poor that the only thing that filled their pockets was music. And Oatmeal. When Dolly's mother gave birth there was no way the family could pay the medical bills that followed.
Dolly's father, who was a tobacco farmer paid the bills with the only thing he had which was oatmeal. She is grateful for the family she was born into and would never trade them for the world.
Her Low Carb Way of Life
In the past few years, Dolly has become more aware of what goes in her body than what she projects out of her body. The years have spoken and she realizes that maintenance is required. Throughout her life, her diet consisted mainly of roast pork and banana pudding, and the greasier the better.
Nowadays she is more aware of what she eats. Dolly Parton might be small in size but she has a traditional big southern appetite, so instead of giving up on her favorite dishes, she just cuts down the carbs and that allows her to pig out if she feels the need to.