About the song
Dolly Parton is more than just a country music legend—she’s a cultural icon, a philanthropist, and a symbol of resilience and joy. While her rhinestone outfits and big blonde hair are instantly recognizable, there’s so much more to her than meets the eye. Here are 10 surprising facts about Dolly Parton that might just make you admire her even more.
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She wrote “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You” on the same day – Yes, two of her biggest hits came from a single, inspired songwriting session. Talk about talent!
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She’s never ridden the rides at Dollywood – Despite owning one of the most popular theme parks in America, Dolly admits she doesn’t ride rollercoasters because she gets motion sickness.
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She turned down Elvis Presley – When Elvis wanted to record “I Will Always Love You,” Dolly said no because his manager insisted on owning half the rights. She stuck to her guns—and it paid off.
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She’s the godmother of Miley Cyrus – Dolly is close to Miley’s family and has been a guiding light in her life since birth.
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Dolly has tattoos—but for a very personal reason – She’s said to have soft pastel tattoos to cover scars, not for show.
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She secretly entered a Dolly Parton look-alike contest—and lost – That’s right. Dolly once entered a drag queen contest as herself and didn’t even place!
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She’s donated millions to education – Through her Imagination Library, Dolly has gifted over 200 million books to children around the world.
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She plays over 20 instruments – Guitar, banjo, piano—you name it, she can probably play it.
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She’s been married for over 50 years – Her husband, Carl Dean, keeps a low profile, but their love has stood the test of time.
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She helped fund the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine – Dolly quietly donated $1 million to research at Vanderbilt University.
Dolly Parton is living proof that kindness, courage, and authenticity never go out of style. There’s a reason the world loves her—and these facts just add to her legendary status.
