A life in her own words

Dolly Parton died Tuesday at age 80 in Nashville, as reported by the Associated Press. In the wake of her death, the AP compiled a selection of quotes from interviews with the country icon spanning nearly five decades, from 1979 to 2025. The compilation, assembled by AP Music Writer Maria Sherman, draws on conversations conducted by AP journalists including Sherman, Gary Gerard Hamilton, Glenn Gamboa, the late Bob Thomas, Frank Cormier, and former AP journalist Mike Cidoni Lennox.

Early Hollywood years

In July 1979, as she prepared to go to Hollywood for the film "9 to 5," Parton reflected on her ambitions. "I never thought of myself as a movie star," she said. "I knew I'd be a star, but as a singer or as a writer of songs or books or poetry. I wanted to be a famous performer and wear flashy clothes, but singing in movies was not one of my ambitions. My family lived in the mountains and we didn't see movies."

She also acknowledged the limits of her acting approach: "I can't act a part, but if they allow me to be myself, then I can handle it. If they find me a story that allows me to be me, then I'm interested; if they don't, I'm not."

That October, after kissing President Jimmy Carter at the White House, Parton quipped, "My husband wants a picture of this, too."

Film and music milestones

Reviewing her performance in "9 to 5" in December 1980, Parton was characteristically candid: "In places I was real good. In places I was real average and in others I was … (sticking out her tongue). All in all, for the first time out, I was proud of it."

A year later, on the set of "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," she admitted initial hesitation about the title. "I'll admit I had some misgivings about the title of the movie. After all, my granddaddy was a preacher, and I'm a spiritual person myself. I didn't want to do anything that might be considered offensive. Then I saw the play and I realized it was just a foot-stompin' good time."

In July 1985, as she opened Dollywood, Parton explained her motivation: "It's something I want to take pride in, to preserve the Smoky Mountain heritage rather than have Hollywood portray us as they often do."

Love and collaboration

Parton often spoke about her husband, Carl Dean. In May 1992, she said, "It was love at first sight. I see people who turn my head all the time. It's just that nobody's turned my head around as much as him."

In March 1999, she described singing with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt in vivid terms: "We do love to sing. Your whole life you wait to find those compatible voices. It's like making love. … I get off on it. I do. I get so thrilled. When it buzzes, it is good."

Later reflections

In August 2002, Parton spoke about Elvis Presley's enduring legacy, saying she believed it would never die and that he is considered by many to be like a religious figure.

In April 2004, she declared she would never retire, hoping "to die in the middle of a great event or song," and mentioned being like Bob Hope touring at 100. She also joked about a potential wardrobe malfunction at her award show performance following Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake's Super Bowl show, saying that with her tight clothes "there's no telling what could happen."

In March 2008, Parton announced she was starting her own label, Dolly Records, viewing it as an investment because she had made enough money to afford investing in herself.

Upon receiving an honorary doctorate in May 2009, she exclaimed, "Just think, I am Dr. Dolly!"

In April 2010, on Dollywood's 25th anniversary, she said she always wanted to return to her part of the country and do something that would bring jobs, adding that she was lucky and God was good to her.

In July 2010, Parton described herself as Miley Cyrus's fairy godmother, saying she was proud of her and that Cyrus does not need her advice but often asks for it.

In December 2018, she addressed the common misconception about "I Will Always Love You": "People often think it was Whitney Houston's song. I tell them Houston can have the credit, I'll take the cash."

In October 2022, she said she does her charity work from the heart, not for attention, and sees a need and fills it if she can.

In November 2023, reflecting on her Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, Parton said she didn't think she had done enough in the rock world to be inducted, but they were going to put her in anyway, so she accepted gracefully and made a rock album to earn her keep.

In November 2024, she shared a memory of her grandfather, who used to say she came out crying in the key of D, and expressed hope that her songs last and that she is remembered as someone who tried to do good in the world.

In May 2025, Parton spoke about her faith and her late husband, saying she believes she will see Carl Dean again someday and that she sees him every day in memories and heart. She also said she doesn't think of herself as a superstar but as a workin' girl and a workhorse that looks like a show horse, adding that her husband always said she was born to be a star.