Iconic Dolly Parton quotes from the country star’s interviews over the decades

Country music legend Dolly Parton, who rose from a humble Tennessee log cabin to global stardom through her distinct vibrato, evocative songwriting, and memorable costumes, has died at the age of 80. Parton died peacefully on Tuesday in Nashville, Tennessee, according to a statement from her publicist. No cause of death has been released.

Celebrated for her curvy physique, massive blonde wigs, and sharp, self-deprecating humor, she was among the most beloved personalities in music and beyond—a rare figure whose appeal crossed political, geographical, and generational divides. Over her career, Parton authored hundreds of tracks, including famed hits such as "Jolene," "Coat of Many Colors" and "I Will Always Love You," generating over 100 million sales globally and more than 1 billion online streams. An accomplished businesswoman and generous philanthropist, she plucked bejeweled banjos, guitars, and dulcimers onstage with her long fingernails, and launched a theme park in the Smoky Mountain foothills near her birthplace.

Parton’s life and career remained deeply rooted in her background as one of 12 children born into a family she described as "dirt poor." Driven by her father’s struggles to learn to read after leaving school to work on the farm, she established the educational nonprofit Imagination Library to deliver free books to children in Tennessee. The spoke with Parton numerous times throughout her career. Here are some of her quotes from the archives, as compiled by AP Music Writer Maria Sherman.

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." “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.” “My husband wants a picture of this, too.” “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.” Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial.

This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. 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.