Most everyone has heard the name Dolly Parton. She’s a talented singer who’s been dropping country hits for decades. Occasionally, she’s made appearances on the big screen. Moreover, she’s used her fame and fortune to change the world for the better, including the newest headline regarding the country music legend.
Dolly Parton was Born Impoverished
Dolly Parton has recently made headlines for making a bold and daring fashion decision. A decision with a powerful message: aging is something to embrace. Before becoming a star, Dolly Parton had a humble and intriguing life, which surely laid the foundation for the kind and lovable woman she is today.
Born on January 19, 1946, Dolly Parton, whose middle name is Rebecca, lived in poverty in the Appalachia Mountains in Locust Ridge, Tennessee. Her parents, Robert Lee, and Avie Lee Caroline had 12 children in total, Dolly being number 4. Dolly Parton has explained her life and that of her family’s as “dirt poor”.
Dolly Parton performing at the Commanders-Cowboys halftime show. pic.twitter.com/uezTy8LCIE
— Pop Base (@PopBase) November 24, 2023
Hope on the Horizon
Despite the family’s meager funds, music was seemingly a huge part of Dolly Parton’s upbringing. Many members of her family, including her mom, spent time singing and playing instruments together. Dolly Parton also learned about music from a very young age while in church. According to one source, she has been “writing music before she could read.” Around ten years old, she received a gift that would ultimately change her life.
Dolly Parton was given a guitar. It wasn’t long before she was writing her own songs and began performing in Knoxville, Tennessee, on local radio and television. Just three short years later, she performed at the Grand Ole Opry for the first time, co-performing with her Uncle. Immediately after her high school graduation, she went off to Nashville, Tennessee. Another 3 years later and Dolly Parton solidified her reputation as a legend in country music. She and Porter Wagoner collaborated on The Porter Wagoner Show and the pair were undeniably adored by fans. The partnership would eventually get her recognized, kicking off her solo career.
Dolly Parton Becomes a Star
She has a total of 25 number-one hits, holding a record in country music. Hits like “Joshua”, “Jolene”, and “It’s All Wrong, But It’s Alright” put a deeper emotional emphasis on her musical abilities. In the 1980 Dolly Parton went on to perform in movies, showing her comedic side and placing an even greater emphasis on her ability to dig down deep and move audiences. After years of wowing adoring audiences everywhere, she decided to invest into her home, and the children of the U.S. Her first act was to open a theme park near her home town, so she could “help provide jobs” for families struggling to make ends meet.
Creating a Brighter World
She opened the theme park the same year she launched the Dollywood Foundation. A mission help decrease the student drop out rate in her home county, Sevier County located in Tennessee. She also funded a program called the Buddy Program, which offers $500 to students who completed high school. Around the same time, she also offered a scholarship program of $500 for students who wanted to attend their local, Hiwassee, College. She later began offering larger incentives of $15,000 as well as opened a Bald Eagle Sanctuary and began a book donation program in which children of Sevier County can receive one free book a month. Furthermore, Dolly Parton has made several charitable donations to relief programs and families struggling with disaster.
Dolly Parton Sparks Debate
Among her many charitable acts and ability to captivate audiences, Dolly Parton has inspired a whole new kind of buzz. She was seen dressed as a Cowboys cheerleader at the Thanksgiving football game between the Cowboys and the Commanders. Unsurprisingly, people on the internet had a lot too say. Some told her to “act her age”. Meanwhile, others were flattering and empowered the country music goddess to show what she’s got. In fact, beloved Hollywood celebrity, Whoopi Goldberg, came to the defense of Dolly Parton. She told audiences who participated in tearing down Dolly Parton that they “should be ashamed“.
After all, the blonde bombshell is nearly 80 and still looks incredibly healthy and fit. Which is more than can be said of much of the general population. Granted she has time and money to care for herself in a way that others do not, but the image of Dolly Parton in a revealing cheer leading outfit is a reminder that with enough self-love, dedication, and hard work, anyone can achieve their dreams. Even if their dream is to be a knockout in their later years.
Dolly Parton performs during the halftime show of the Commanders-Cowboys Thanksgiving Day game in Dallas pic.twitter.com/HFkyBBNFby
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) November 23, 2023
Soon to celebrate her 78th birthday, Dolly Parton has once again wowed audiences and left her fans gushing harder than ever before. Her latest business venture was the release of her 59th album release, not to mention the hundreds of tracks she’s collaborated on or released live. Her new album ‘Rockstar’ was released November 17, 2023. She presents 21 classic rock songs, featuring their original artists or other prominent voices in Rock ‘n’ Roll, hoping that audiences will “love” her “version of [the songs].”
Keep Reading: Dolly Parton reveals Paul McCartney, Stevie Nicks, Pink, and more will feature on her new rock album
Sources
- “First Grand Ole Opry Performance.” DP.
- “Dolly Parton.” Biography. November 17, 2023.
- “A Timeline of Dolly Parton’s Good Deeds.” Billboard. Rania Aniftos. March 7, 2023.
- “Whoopi Goldberg Has a Message for Critics of Dolly Parton’s Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Outfit: ‘Bite Me’. Hannah Daily.”
Billboard. November 28, 2023. - “Whoopi Goldberg Has 2 Scathing Words For Critics Of Dolly Parton’s Cheerleader Outfit.” HuffPost. Curtis M. Wong. November 28, 2023.