Dolly Parton Makes Bold Declaration About Aging Ahead of 80th Birthday
What To Know
- Dolly Parton, approaching her 80th birthday, reflected on her career and legacy while promoting her new book.
- Despite recent health challenges and the loss of her husband, Parton emphasized her determination to keep working.
- She declared that she has “no time to get old,” expressing pride in her accomplishments and a desire to continue inspiring others through her work.
Dolly Parton made a bold declaration about aging ahead of her 80th birthday — and the Queen of Country didn’t mince words with her blunt message.
During an interview with People published on November 12, Parton, who turns 80 on January 19, reflected on her career, legacy, and upcoming milestone birthday while promoting her new book Star of the Show: My Life on Stage.
“You know, I have just been going so fast my whole life,” the “9 to 5” singer shared. “And I just start thinking, ‘How in the world did I even have a life? How did I even get it done?'”
Parton has snagged an impressive 11 Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, and 25 No. 1 hits, and has sold 100 million albums during her seven-decade career. “I really realized when I was putting this book together just how much I had sacrificed in my life,” she admitted. “I never had children, so at least I didn’t have a guilty feeling. I’m thankful that I got to see my dreams come true.”
In March, Parton’s husband, Carl Dean, died at 82, and the “Jolene” singer neglected her own health as she grieved his death. She was forced to cancel a September appearance due to kidney stones and postponed her Las Vegas residency.
“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,” she told People. “I know that sounds stupid, but unless my health gives way, which right now I seem to be doing fine.”
Parton then declared, “I think there’s a lot to be said about age. If you allow yourself to get old, you will. I say, ‘I ain’t got time to get old!’ I ain’t got time to dwell on that. That’s not what I’m thinking about.”
At 79 going on 80, however, Parton has no plans of slowing down. In addition to releasing her book on November 11, Dolly: A True Original Musical will premiere on Broadway in 2026.
“I’m at that point in my life where I just want to be able to do good things that can be carried on,” she explained. “I’m proud of my legacy so far, and I hope to just continue to do things that might be of use to other people.”