Singer and actress Dolly Parton was known as the
of Country Music, but she was also known for her witty, wise, often humorous and unfiltered sayings called "Dollyisms".
Many of her "Dollyisms" were about her physical appearance. She often said she was not naturally pretty, and that the big-haired
, heavy makeup, and her "famous frontage", was a look based on a
idea of glam. She also said, "It takes a lot of money to look this
". In her 2013 book "Dream More", Dolly wrote, "People say, 'You always look so happy.' I say, 'That's because of the
....'" When asked in a BBC interview, "How do you stay looking so young?", Dolly replied, "Good lighting, good doctors, and good
".
Dolly loved her wigs. In a 2002 interview by the Irish Times, she was asked about the length of time it took to fix her
, she answered, "I don't know I am
". Dolly was not shy when it came to talking about her large bosom. In 2009 she received an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Tennessee. Upon receiving the honor, she said, "Just think I am Dr. Dolly! When people say something about
, they will be thinking of something entirely different". When asked in a 2013 Metro News interview about running for President she declined saying, "I think we've had enough '
' in the
". In a December 16th, 2022, Tik-Tok video she claimed, "I am a self-made woman, and I have the
to prove it".
But many of her Dollyisms have provided wise advice. In 2021 she tweeted on X, "
, makeup, and hair are fun - but it's what's on the
that makes you a truly special one". Other wise sayings attributed to Dolly include: "A
that rests on its feathers is just another
," "
make trees take
," and "If you see someone without a
today, give 'em
".
Dolly Parton was more than an entertainer. She was an inspiration and a blessing to our world. She died on August 25, 2026. She will be missed.
