Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
The Queen of Country reflects on her decades-long performing career in her new memoir, Star of the Show: My Life on Stage.
Dolly Parton Reflects on Her Seven-Decade Career in New Memoir
With the release of her memoir Star of the Show: My Life on Stage, Dolly Parton opened up to PEOPLE about her remarkable seven-decade career, the lessons she’s learned, and what the future holds.
“I’ve just been moving at such a fast pace my entire life,” Parton, 79, shared. “Sometimes I wonder, ‘How did I even have a life? How did I manage to get everything done?’ Writing this book really made me see just how much I’ve sacrificed. I never had children, so at least I didn’t have that guilt. I’m grateful I was able to see my dreams come true.”
Dolly Parton Reflects on Health, Career, and Her Philosophy on Aging
This fall, Dolly Parton had to slow down her schedule: nearly two months after speaking with PEOPLE, she postponed several concerts due to “health challenges” stemming from a kidney-stone-related infection. Yet, the country icon approaches the coming decade with her characteristic humor and determination.
“People say, ‘You’re going to be 80 years old.’ Well, so what? Look at all I’ve done in 80 years. I feel like I’m just getting started,” Parton, 79, says. “I know it might sound silly, but as long as my health holds up — and right now, it seems fine — I think age only matters if you let it. I say, ‘I ain’t got time to get old!’ Dwelling on that isn’t on my mind.”
Instead, she reflects on the journey that built her groundbreaking career. Inspired by her father Robert’s tireless work ethic and her mother Avie’s creativity, Parton dreamed of performing from an early age. After high school, she moved to Nashville and became Porter Wagoner’s duet partner on his TV show, gaining recognition with hits like “Jolene” and “Coat of Many Colors” before their professional paths diverged in 1974.
“I knew I had to keep moving forward,” she says. “I couldn’t stay Porter’s girl singer forever because God had bigger plans for me, and I had bigger dreams of my own.”
Breaking away, Parton faced industry sexism but successfully transitioned into pop music and later conquered Hollywood in the 1980s.
“You have to grow into things and grow out of things; that’s how I handled my career,” she explains. “I needed to try new paths. Many people assume that because you’re a woman, you don’t know what you’re doing. I don’t worry about anyone else — I only focus on what I need to do.”
Her determination, Christian faith, and intuition guided her path. “I don’t tell others how to live, but I know who I am,” she says. “I may be a star to the world, but to me, I’m just a working girl. I like to say I’m a workhorse that looks like a show horse.”
Today, Parton is one of the most celebrated artists ever, boasting an Emmy, 11 Grammys, 25 No. 1 hits, and over 100 million albums sold. Her empire extends far beyond music, encompassing resorts, streaming projects, fragrances, and even frozen foods and cookware.
“I’m not trying to outdo anyone but myself. I aim to be my best at all times and improve every day,” she says. “It wasn’t about wealth; it was about succeeding at what I love. Dreams and wishes don’t come true without hard work.”