Dolly Parton Reflects on Her Legacy, Turning 80, and What’s Next: “I Ain’t Got Time to Get Old!”
Dolly Parton has done it all — and she’s far from slowing down. As the Queen of Country celebrates nearly seven decades in the spotlight, she’s reflecting on her remarkable journey, her upcoming 80th birthday, and what lies ahead in her brand-new book, Star of the Show: My Life on Stage.
“You know, I have just been going so fast my whole life,” says Parton, 79, in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE. “When I look back, I think, how did I even get it all done? I realized I’ve sacrificed a lot — but I’m thankful I got to see my dreams come true.”
The beloved icon’s new memoir offers fans a behind-the-scenes look at her rise from a Tennessee farm girl to one of the most influential performers in music history. Packed with rare photos and heartfelt stories, Star of the Show traces every step of her seven-decade journey.
Facing Health Challenges — and Pushing Forward
Earlier this year, Parton postponed several tour dates following a kidney stone infection. Fans worried, but the country legend quickly put those rumors to rest. “Lately everybody thinks that I am sicker than I am,” she said in an Instagram video. “Do I look sick? I wanted you to know that I’m not dying.”
Even after the loss of her husband, Carl Dean, who passed away in March at age 82, Parton remains focused on living life fully. “I let a lot of things go when Carl died,” she shared. “But I’m getting back to taking care of myself again.”
“I Ain’t Got Time to Get Old”
When asked about turning 80, the Grammy-winning superstar laughed.
“People say, ‘Well, 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. If you allow yourself to get old, you will — but I ain’t got time to get old!”
From ‘Coat of Many Colors’ to Global Stardom
Raised in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, Parton began performing as a child and moved to Nashville after high school. Her breakout came as Porter Wagoner’s duet partner in the late 1960s before launching a solo career with hits like “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” and “Here You Come Again.”
“I knew I couldn’t be Porter’s girl singer forever,” she said. “God had a bigger purpose for me, and I had dreams of my own.”
Parton went on to conquer music, television, film, and even business — building an empire that includes Dollywood, fragrances, books, and her beloved Imagination Library, which has donated over 200 million books to children worldwide.
A Star with a Workhorse Spirit
“I’m a star to everybody but me,” she says with her signature humility. “I’m just a working girl — a workhorse that looks like a show horse.”
Parton has earned 11 Grammys, 25 No. 1 hits, more than 100 million albums sold, and a 2022 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Yet, she says her success has never been about fame or fortune.
“I’m not trying to outdo anybody except me,” she explains. “It wasn’t about being rich — it was about being successful at what I love. Dreams and wishes don’t come true without hard work.”
Looking Ahead
Next up, Parton is preparing to bring her life story to Broadway with Dolly: A True Original Musical, set to open in 2026.
“I’m proud of my legacy, and I want to keep doing good things that last,” she says. “I’ve had to wear my heart on my sleeve for a long time, but I hope people see my heart. That’s what matters most.”
