The world will never be as sparkly, and that’s simply a tragedy.
Announced this afternoon, the one and only icon herself and queen of country music, Dolly Parton, has passed away at 80 years old in Nashville, Tennessee. She is of course a beloved singer, songwriter, philanthropist, actress, playwright, and author died peacefully today in her home state.
Dolly is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years Carl Thomas Dean (1942 – 2025), her mother Avie Lee Caroline Owens (1923 – 2003), and father, Robert Lee Parton, Sr. (1921 – 2000). Dolly had been dealing with some major health issues since last year, which she recently updated the public on during a Dollywood announcement last week.
Her team shared the following statement about her death:
“A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family.
Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience. With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact.”
Dolly lost her longtime husband, Carl Dean, in May of last year, and they had been together for nearly 60 years. They shared a very long and happy marriage, though Dean purposefully remained out of the spotlight, a dynamic that certainly worked for them.
President Trump has even that all American flags across the United States be lowered to half-staff for one week in honor of Dolly Parton, a very fitting tribute, indeed.
But like many of her fans, I’m not doing too well, and I am not going to lie to you, I’ve shed more than a few tears of this. Dolly was a huge inspiration for me in ways that I could drone on about, but since I’m still in shock, I thought it might be better to share one of my all-time favorite Dolly interviews right now instead.
It occurred in 1977 with Barbara Walters, where Barb questions Dolly about her appearance (in the rudest way possible, might I add) and doesn’t let up. Of course, Dolly being the diamond that she is, responds with grace and class. She admits that her signature look has a purpose (other than the very valid reason that she simply likes it), saying it’s helped her catch people’s attention in a way that has allowed her to show her true colors and character on the inside:
“Once they got passed the shock of the ridiculous way I looked and all that, then they would see there was parts of me to be appreciated.
I’m very real where it counts, and that’s inside. And as far as my outlook on life, and the way I care about people, and the way I care about myself, and he things I care about. I just chose to do this… show business is a money making joke, and I’ve just always liked telling jokes.”
That’s when Barb comes in asking her if she ever feels that she’s “a joke,” adding that people make fun of her, as if Dolly doesn’t have a clue what she’s doing.
Here’s what Dolly has to say about that:
“I know they make fun of me, but actually all these years the people, you know, have thought the joke is on me, but it’s actually been on the public. I know exactly what I’m doing, and I can change it at any time. I make more jokes about myself than anybody…”
A QUEEN.
She then goes on to give Barb a lesson in self-love, judgment, and confidence:
“Like I said, I am sure of myself as a person. I am sure of my talent. And I’m sure of my love for life and that sort of thing. I’m very content. I like the kind of person that I am.
So, I can afford to piddle around and do-diddle around with makeup and clothes and stuff, because I am secure with myself.”
Sure, Dolly knew what Barbara was getting at and why she was asking questions like that, and it’s just another example of her genuine kindness and humility on display. Dolly never let anyone get to her really, in terms of her public persona, and always, always treated people with love the way Jesus did. Of course, no one is perfect, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a better human being than Dolly Parton.
I mean, Barbara opens the interview telling Dolly she “doesn’t have to look like this,” and then continues to list off things about her appearance like her blonde hair, outfit selections, and her measurements. And I’m gonna have to stop you right there Barb…
You’re gonna sit there and try to tell the Queen of country music, with one of the most beautiful, iconic and recognizable looks of ALL TIME how SHE should dress and what she should do with her hair and makeup? That’s gonna be a no from me. And then you have the audacity to ask Dolly if she feels like a joke? Goodbye, Barb…
This interview never fails to get my fired up, and is a timeless lesson on class and grace that will never go out of style, in my opinion.
And while Barb continues to be… not very nice… right to Dolly’s face, with her little comments about “your kind of people,” and asking her about her “hillbilly family,” Dolly responds by telling her it’s a personal choice and she couldn’t have been any nicer about it. Not offended whatsoever… it just makes me love her even more.
Dolly has never been one to shy away from conversations about her looks, either, and in fact, one of her most famous quotes is:
“It costs a lot of money to look this cheap!”
What in the world did we do to deserve Dolly?
Like she said in the interview, she knew how to make fun of herself, but beyond all that shallow stuff that doesn’t actually matter at all, it is what’s on the inside that counts. And on the inside, Dolly was one of the realest and most genuine people in the world.
She was everything… an incredibly talented singer and songwriter, a style icon, a gorgeous and humble woman, a philanthropist, and someone who never, ever steered away from who she knew she was. She lived life on her own terms in every aspect, and by example, encouraged others to do the same, and she made the world a much brighter place because of simply who she was.
This is still my all-time favorite interview because it perfectly encapsulates who Dolly was, and if you’ve never seen it before, you must watch it today in honor of the queen:
