Life Advice from the Country Queen: Dolly Parton

Get ready to be charmed and admonished in equal measure with Dolly Parton quotes and advice. This fascinating icon is known for her remarkable talent and outstanding generosity. A riveting journey as an accomplished (understatement) singer/songwriter, actor, and philanthropist, the life teachings of this true country queen, Dolly Parton, are more than just a little inspiring.

The Dolly Foundation

The Dolly Foundation was started to help children “achieve educational success,” but it morphed into the Imagination Library in 1995, a program that distributes books to children across the globe, free of charge. Currently, the foundation has given away over 147 million books.

Lesson: If you reach success give as much as you can to those in need.

“I always count my blessings more than I count my money. I don’t work for money, never did.”

Grace Under Pressure

In a 1977 interview with Barbara Walters, Dolly sat through many comments and questions that insulted her background and appearance. Dolly rebuffed the onslaught by staying calm and classy. She proved she was a smart, talented and intelligent woman despite attempts to tear her down. See some of the interview here.

Lesson: Be true to yourself and who you are. It doesn't matter what others think of you.

“Find out who you are and do it on purpose.”

Creatives Gonna Create

Dolly wrote 'Jolene' and 'I Will Always Love You' on the same day. Two very different songs are about heartbreak and change. They both reached no. 1 on the Billboard charts. The latter reached the top charts 20 years after she wrote it when Whitney Houston recorded it for the film 'The Bodyguard'. She describes it as a good writing day.

Lesson: Create what is in your heart. It might not be the most popular or successful thing you do right away but you never know what it will become.

"You'll never do a whole lot unless you're brave enough to try."

What are your favourite Dolly quotes?