In a world that often lacks authenticity, Dolly Parton was by all accounts the real deal. Dubbed the Queen of Country, she was described as delightful. Kind. Honest. A straight talker. Down to earth.
Dolly’s charm and wit had wide appeal and her songs resonated with people of all ages. Asked once if she was just a dumb blonde, she replied “I’m not dumb and I’m not blonde”.
Who couldn’t love Dolly? Her music crossed genres with broad appeal. And regardless of our political stripes or points of view, she loved each of us as much as we loved her. She was the great unifier in these polarized times.
Music was a source of light for Dolly even as a young child. Over her decades long career, she wrote over 3000 songs, and had 25 number 1 country singles, most of which she wrote herself. She described writing as her therapy and her joy.
She once joked that her songs ‘were like her children and she hoped some of them looked after her in her old age.” It’s reported that she wrote two of her biggest hits Jolene and I Will Always Love You on the same day.
Dolly starred in several films including 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and Steel Magnolias.
Beyond her success in the entertainment world, Dolly was a philanthropist. A supporter of many causes – the issues that matter according to her – including diversity and equality. She founded the Imagination Library (a literacy program that gifted 300 million books to kids), and donated $1,000,000 toward a Covid vaccine.
Dolly was never ashamed of her humble beginnings. She often reiterated (especially when accepting humanitarian honors) that growing up with 12 siblings in a cabin in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee taught her “that sharing isn’t about having a lot – it’s about understanding that when you have more than you need, helping others becomes your responsibility.”
Dolly’s death was announced by her nephew Bryan Seaver on social media. “Dolly opened doors not just for me but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn’t even know was possible. Dolly also opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers from every walk of life and across every continent,” Seaver added in the video message. “By her example, we believed that anything is possible. She never saw a door she couldn’t open, and the doors she opened made and changed history”.
“Find out who you are and do it on purpose” – Dolly Parton (1946 -2026)
Shine on Dolly.
