What do you most remember about Dolly Parton, who died today?

Question

Dolly Parton died today, 25 August 2026, at the age of 80. What do you most remember about her? May she rest in peace.

WhiteSteve · Accepted Answer

We throw the phrase “national treasure” around a little loosely these days, but Dolly truly was one. I was kind of viscerally turned off by a lot of country music from a very, very young age, but Dolly was still an iconic figure to me, as much as my toddler brain could perceive icons.

When I was first gaining consciousness, Dolly was just “there”, in the zeitgeist. I probably encountered her on The Muppet Show, or Sesame Street, I don’t remember specifically, just as a guest. But my-barely-functioning baby brain just immediately recognized her as a ray of light in a world that I didn’t know had so much darkness yet.

I honestly don’t even know her music well. I remember when Whitney Houston covered “I Will Always Love You” in my formative years, adults were quick to tell me that that song was Dolly’s. I’m sure at the time I was like “shut up, old man”, lmao, but I appreciate it now.

So yeah, I’d say my disdain for, or at least ignorance of, country music in general is just testament to Dolly’s character and persona. I barely think of her as a musician because that’s not really what I know her from; I just know her from the resulting fame. She’s really sort of “before my time”, like she was a well-established celebrity when I was born.

And despite her being and being widely recognized as a beautiful woman, she’s not even really my type. Like that was never my angle, even when I was boy coming of age. I think something in my soul just identified her as a very, very good person. That’s why I rocked with Dolly.

And as the tributes pour in these next few days, it’s customary to really hype up someone posthumously in an attempt at reverence and celebration; but if a miracle happened and Dolly popped up back to life in perfect health, you wouldn’t take back or tone down a single thing you said when she was still gone.

R. I. P., Dolly. It didn’t line up perfectly, but I’m glad I existed for part of the same time she did.

Chazmatazz269 · Accepted Answer

I grew up listening to Dolly’s music because my mother was a country music fan. I remember her roles in movies like “Rhinestone”, “9 to 5” and “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”.
She also made cameo appearances in shows like “The Muppets” and “The Beverly Hillbillies”. I discovered later on that she’s done a fair bit of voiceover work. She has such an iconic voice, there’s no guessing. Once you hear her, you know exactly whose voice you’re hearing.
The last thing i saw her in, she made a surprising guest appearance as herself in “The Orville”, an underrated scifi series by Seth Macfarlane.
I am saddened to know that she passed away. She was the hardest working woman in show business and an icon.

SaoirseS · Accepted Answer

Her music, her larger-than-life personality, her humanity, her kindness, her altruism.

Oddly enough, Dolly was (kind of) the reason I broke up with a guy I dated a short while a few years ago. He started off as a good guy, but had a habit of dissing every artist or form of art that I liked. You know the type, no matter what I liked, he came up with some reason to bad mouth it. We were on the way to a movie and the song Jolene was playing on the radio. He started going on about how he thought Dolly was trash, she was highly overrated, etc. etc. I'd had enough. I told him to pull over, then I got out and told him he could shit all over anything I liked, but I drew the line with Dolly Parton.

He's dead to me.

Clara4567 · Accepted Answer

Here Dolly Parton wasn't that known, because here in Italy country music was never that appealing. Plus Dolly Parton's song are about U. S culture, again, here it is not very understandable. Some hits reached Italy but if you ask who sang the song people can't answer to that question. In short, she never peaked here, but being a gen-Z I remember her from Hannah Montana, given the fact that she was Miley Cyrus' godmother and also because I really love music and I think that she is an icon and the true queen of Country music.

llorando · Answer

Her music even tho I never listened to it.

Ill_made_Knight · Answer

Seems she was a pretty awesome human. She started a library that mailed free books to kids... pretty cool.
When I was a kid she was on the Porter Wagner show and it was all a little too country for my taste. I remember one of their sponsors was Breeze laundry detergent. Each box contained a very thin towel with a cartoonish animal printed on... "they're the towels WE use" the commercial would end... mhmm, you bet. comical though.

What do you most remember about Dolly Parton, who died today?

Lookit all that hair... both of 'em.

MrOracle · Answer

That she had brains and integrity, even at a young age.

Elvis was going to cover "I Will Always Love You" during the time when he was the biggest music artist on the planet, not long after his return to music after doing a bunch of movies.

The problem was that Elvis's manager made everyone who owned the publishing of any song that Elvis was going to cover sign over the publishing rights - or, in the case of big, successful stars, half the rights. Dolly refused, even though she'd have loved Elvis to cover her song and would have made good money from it.

This integrity allowed her to make FAR more money in the long run, especially from Whitney Houston's cover 20 years later. She's retained her publishing all this time and will now be part of her extensive estate, and could be worth half a billion by itself.

loveslongnails · Answer

Besides the writing and entertainment aspects which are superb, Dolly was known as a generous humanitarian and a kind, dignified and respectful person. Married over 50 years to Carl Dean, she suffered greatly when he died and it worsened her own ailments.

Whether you like country or not, Dolly's music could speak to you, and I loved that about it and about her. She was one of those people you could say this about:
"If you didn't like Dolly Parton, YOU were the problem".

MartinKlingac · Answer

Wait, is this real? I'm pretty sure she's still alive, let's not speak things into existence But if we're talking legacy, her songwriting is legendary."

sage2021 · Answer

I visited Dollywood in Tennessee not long after it opened. All of her family had jobs there. I remember how sweet she was and always smiling, and caring about people. She was a great woman 👠 👠

Cidknee · Answer

She was brought out, I guess, by Porter Wagner. I remember first seeing her after he introduced her in the 60s. I'm thinking, maybe 1970 or so. Jolene, I know was the song. Neither me or my mom cared for that song.
There was talk about she parted from Wagner. Maybe she was his girlfriend for a while.

Then...

... she had a string of hits in the 70s and then showed us her acting skills in a couple of very good movies. My mom loved her and I do too.

Yeah, she carried on through the 80s as well.

purplepoppy · Answer

I'm familiar with her music but don't really know much about her. I know she did some free book scheme for kids.

FunkyMonkee · Answer

She had small feet. Mostly because nothing grows in the shade.

Jamie05rhs · Answer

The very first thing I heard about her -- when I was a preteen boy -- was that she had huge titties.
I didn't really see her as a person back then, needless to say.

But over the years, I came to know more about the REAL Dolly. And I have to say, I was pretty impressed. She seemed like a wonderful woman. I'm sure the world will be less rich without her in it.

DeeDeeDeVour · Answer

1. Her role in the movie 9-to-5.  2. The theme song of the movie 9-to-5.  3. The song Jolene.  4. She won 11 Grammy awards.

midnightmoon05 · Answer

I think she is a country (i am not a fan) singer and plays her own guitar. and of course her big boobs.  RIP

NathanDavis · Answer

other than her music... how it was said she wasn't disliked by "anybody"

melnc · Answer

I'll remember her for that big smile, big hair, and even bigger heart. She could sing like an angel, but she was even kinder than she was famous.

She left a mark on this world that ain't never gonna fade.

Massageman · Answer

Great outlook on life, good actress, great songs esp with Kenny, and a couple of other good points.

ellllltr · Answer

Jolene and 9 to 5 are the songs I like the most

RareBreedOfMan · Answer

I remember Dolly Parton for her fine Country music.

molonski2 · Answer

I thought she was incredible and adored her honesty , thought she'd live beyond 80n, RIP Dolly.

Anonymous · Answer

Not going to lie, I'll remember her most for your large breast implants.

Bricealan · Answer

@aviatortom She was an amazing entertainer, and I am told very generous with others

Joshydavid25 · Answer

I just knew her as the Big tata Blonde country singer..

TonyMetal___1986 · Answer

Just her name and her photo in my book when i was a child...

canamlusciouslad73 · Answer

She was often called "The TWO and only." Guess?

browsingthroughthe · Answer

Her personality, her faith, her singing and Dolly World and also her appreciation for her life and for her fans.  And she was very groovy 🤗😋

exitseven · Answer

It seemed like she was around forever. This is almost like when Elvis died. I remember her a a large than life person that excelled in everything she did.

AgentG111 · Answer

Many many songs and appearances along with a couple of shows and a movie

strateguy632 · Answer

that she avoided politics. good example she and hawkeye too!

Just_Ken · Answer

Jolene

OneViewpoint · Answer

She seemed like a genuinely good person with a fair amount of talent. What I remember, The voice and the hair. And the boobs.

BCRanger10 · Answer

May she rest in peace 🙏

Shiprex · Answer

She was a great advocate for those less fortunate than her.

Levin · Answer

Being an advocate for the covid jabs, sadly.

OlderAndWiser · Answer

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene.

Paraskeví9 · Answer

Her generous act of paying for others' education.

MrChinaski · Answer

Joelene is a classic. I don't enjoy country, but credit where credit is due.

Wuai201 · Answer

This is how I find out

douride2 · Answer

Her music & her larger then life persona.

Kassandra1994 · Answer

She was an insperation super woman ❤️🩷🎀

katiesmuff · Answer

Have always loved her music and her humor.

Iron_Man · Answer

this is terrible

msc545 · Answer

I remember her song "Jolene."

BadApple69 · Answer

9-5 the movie.

Badtobad · Answer

9 to 5

robocop666 · Answer

My 70 year old friend had a crush on her.

KostasKouvalis · Answer

Honestly, her giant tits😂

fish5505_87 · Answer

I remember watching 9-5 when I was a kid.

iCandice · Answer

Her personality.

What do you most remember about Dolly Parton, who died today?

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