Dolly Parton's Wit, Wisdom, and Honesty Remembered

Dolly Parton, the iconic singer-songwriter, is being celebrated for her enduring wit, wisdom, and honesty following her passing at the age of 80. Known for her distinctive style and heartwarming personality, Parton possessed a unique ability to blend humor with profound life lessons, leaving a lasting impact on fans and the entertainment industry.

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It costs a lot to look this cheap.

Parton was never one to shy away from making jokes about herself or her signature look. She famously quipped, "It costs a lot to look this cheap," a testament to her self-aware humor. Yet, beneath the playful exterior lay a deep well of wisdom. Reflecting on the immense love and respect she received, Parton once told CBS News' Gayle King, "It's an honor, but it scares me to death sometimes." She often expressed a humble perspective on her fame, joking, "I'm not all that, I'm even not all there sometimes." She found comfort in the idea that her long career allowed people to feel a sense of familiarity, like she was an "older sister or a favorite aunt."

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It's an honor, but it scares me to death sometimes.

Her distinctive appearance, often inspired by the "town tramp" she admired growing up for her bold style, was a subject she addressed with characteristic candor. "She wore the makeup, red nails, red high heels, tight clothes. I just thought she was the prettiest thing I'd ever seen," Parton recalled. While some might have dismissed the woman's style, Parton saw beauty and aspiration. When it came to fashion, she stated in an interview with Norah O'Donnell, "I don't care about following fashion. I've never been one to follow what other people are doing. … I just had my own personality, my own thought of who I was and how I wanted to look." She embraced her unique style, even finding humor in being called a "fashion icon."

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I'm always saying, I'm not all that, I'm even not all there sometimes.

Parton also spoke about her innate talent for songwriting, often downplaying claims of genius. "I'm not a genius. That just runs in my blood," she told O'Donnell. "I have a gift of rhyme. … I always, to make a joke, I said, 'I've got at least 3,000 songs and three good ones.' That's pretty much true." For Parton, songwriting was a natural, almost uncontrollable, process: "I couldn't stop writing songs if I wanted to." Even regarding her most famous song, "I Will Always Love You," she maintained her pragmatic humor, playfully telling CBS News in 2016, "Look, she can have the credit. I just want the cash. And I made plenty of it all off of Whitney, thank God."

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She wore the makeup, red nails, red high heels, tight clothes. I just thought she was the prettiest thing I'd ever seen.