NOTABLE NEWS: The queen of country music, Dolly Parton, opened up about childhood memories — and how poorly she was treated by others in the past.

Dolly Parton is far more than a country music superstar — she is an American icon, a storyteller, an actress, a philanthropist, and a symbol of resilience. With 26 No. 1 singles and 42 top 10 albums on the Billboard Country Albums chart, she has carved an indelible mark on the world of music. Perhaps best known as the original writer and performer of the timeless hit “I Will Always Love You,” Dolly’s career spans more than six decades and continues to inspire generations.

Born on January 19, 1946, in a one-room cabin in Sevierville, Tennessee, Dolly was the fourth of twelve children. Her family was extremely poor — so poor, in fact, that her father, Robert Lee Parton, famously paid the doctor who delivered her with a bag of cornmeal. Yet, despite their financial struggles, the Parton family was rich in love, faith, and music. Her mother played the guitar and sang to her children, while her grandfather, Reverend Jake Owens, was a preacher and musician whose influence left a lasting mark on young Dolly’s creative spirit.

From an early age, Dolly experienced both the joy and pain that would later shape her songwriting. The death of a younger sibling was just one of the many hardships she endured growing up in the Great Smoky Mountains. Her music often reflects the stories of those childhood experiences, wrapped in melodies inspired by the Appalachian folk and gospel traditions of her upbringing.

After graduating high school in 1964, Dolly moved to Nashville to pursue her dream. Initially, she found success as a songwriter, penning hits for artists such as Hank Williams Jr. and Skeeter Davis. But despite early success behind the scenes, she struggled to be taken seriously as a performer herself — a challenge she would ultimately overcome with her extraordinary talent and charisma.

Dolly is not only known for her musical accomplishments but also for her vibrant personality, unique fashion sense, and unmistakable look — which she has always embraced with humor and pride. When asked about her appearance, she famously quipped, “It takes a lot of money to look this cheap,” and joked during an interview, “If I have one more facelift, I’ll have a beard.”

In 1978, she graced the cover of Playboy Magazine wearing the iconic bunny outfit, though she refused to pose nude. Her appearance sparked conversation, and even satire, but Dolly remained unapologetically herself. So iconic is her image that the world’s first cloned mammal, Dolly the sheep, was named after her — because the clone came from a mammary cell, and, as scientists humorously noted, “we couldn’t think of a more impressive set of mammary glands than Dolly Parton’s.”

Despite public scrutiny, Dolly has always stood tall. She once told of admiring a flamboyantly dressed woman as a child, only to be told that woman looked like “trash.” Dolly replied, “That’s what I want to be — I want to look like that.” To this day, she’s embraced that childhood vision of herself, never letting criticism dim her shine.

Her personal life has also included health challenges — she underwent a hysterectomy for medical reasons and has spoken openly about the emotional toll of not being able to have children. Still, she has embraced a larger maternal role, dedicating herself to the well-being of children everywhere. She founded the Imagination Library, which has distributed over 200 million free books to children worldwide.

In return for her guidance and kindness, country star Billy Ray Cyrus named her godmother to his daughter, pop star Miley Cyrus. The two have remained close ever since, often performing together and sharing a deep mutual respect.

Now in her late 70s, Dolly Parton remains as beloved as ever. A legend not only for her music but for her honesty, humility, and generosity, Dolly’s story is one of grit, glamour, and grace. From a cabin in Tennessee to the grandest stages of the world, she has never stopped being exactly who she is — and that is precisely why she continues to shine.