8 Reasons Why Dolly Parton Needs to Be Protected at All Costs
19th May, 2022
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A singer. A philanthropist. An ally. An icon. Over the years, Dolly Parton has been crowned many titles by her fans and she absolutely deserves them all!
You know how some people achieve so much that you’re at a loss of words to describe them? That is us with Dolly Parton. Which adjective to choose and which one to leave out is a mystery, but what isn’t, is the phenomenal person Parton is. The brilliant singer comes from a humble background and has worked very hard. Her contribution to society as a woman, artist, philanthropist, and businesswoman is laudable. So without much ado, let’s dive deep into 8 reasons why we LOVE Dolly Parton.
Always speaks her mind
This 10-time Grammy winner not only has a unique and iconic sense of style, but she has also never let outside influences determine her persona. Be it at parties, charities, or celebrity interviews, Dolly Parton has always been vocal about her ideologies and beliefs.She is hugely supportive and vocal about women empowering other women. Parton’s also shown up time and again for LGBTQ causes despite the furore it caused. It takes us by no surprise that her dynamic fanbase considers her to be a champion of feminist issues, an LGBTQ ally, and a cultural ambassador.
She’s sassy AND savvy
While country music may have made her a household name, there is more to her long list of accolades. This self-made wonder woman’s net worth, in 2022, is $650 million and no, it isn’t merely royalty money. Parton has a sharp mind for business and made several successful investments.In 1986, she invested in Pigeon Forge, a theme park in Tennessee, and renamed it Dollywood. This major stake forms the bulk of her fortune. Additionally, Parton has her fingers in pies related to all ventures imaginable—she is the author of successful cookbooks, has a range of kitchenware, clothing, and perfume.
She believes in the power of dreams
Time and again, Dolly Parton has mentioned her impoverished beginnings. The memory of the sneers and nasty comments she faced after sharing her dream of moving to Nashville to become a singer with her classmates has left a lasting impression on many.She elaborates on this in her book Dream More: Celebrate the Dreamer in You, where she shares how one should never stop dreaming and strive hard to achieve their goals, come what may. Despite belonging to a humble background, Parton’s never let it stand in the way of her dreams, inspiring millions every day.
She hasn’t forgotten her roots
Dolly Parton is one of 12 children, all of whom were raised in a meager one-room cabin. She recounts that they did not even have proper quilts on winter nights! Parton started working at the tender age of 12 to help her family and follow her musical career.Her early days of working at the local radio station in Knoxville was followed by a contract with a local recording company. Given the hardships and the tough times she experienced at a young age, or maybe because of it, the cultural star has never stopped giving back or dismissed her roots.
She’s super close to her family
Lots of celebrities try to bury their past once they achieve fame. Not Dolly Parton. This singer, actress, and entrepreneur has always been loud and proud of her family. Growing up with a horde of siblings and very little room taught her some invaluable lessons, but luckily, all the hardship only brought this family closer.Parton shared how every elder sibling would have to take care of the younger ones, and that’s the system they had to follow to help out their mum. When her infant brother passed away, Dolly was heartbroken and stopped singing for a while.
She’s always been a hard worker
Parton and her siblings had to chip in to help at home, and this included financial assistance. Parton started singing before she could even read or write, and she followed her passion to support her family.She started working at a local radio station and TV channel when she was 12, and later worked as a waitress to support herself in Nashville. As she has proclaimed many times, her father and mother are two of her main role models, and from them, she has learned to work as hard and long as she can.
Coat of Many Colors—Need we say more
A song that touched millions of hearts, Coat of Many Colors was inspired by a true story from Parton’s life. She wrote it recalling the coat her mother had sewn from scraps for her and the ensuing bullying she faced at the hands of her classmates.Parton was convinced by her mom’s story that Joseph from the Bible also wore a coat of many colors, and that her coat was special, but her schoolmates couldn’t stop laughing at her and even locked her in the coat closet. The song teaches about bullying and acceptance, hard-learned lessons indeed!
She is empowered and believes in empowering women
Dolly Parton is one of the people in showbiz who has always put her money where her mouth is. Her idea of empowering women doesn’t end with penning the brilliant A Woman’s Right but extends in actions spanning decades.The icon has been vocal about supporting women entrepreneurs, artists, and women in every field. She doesn’t identify with the word feminist, but her actions and work ethics defined what a woman is capable of. Parton emphasizes the sheer hard work women put into everything they do, be it looking after their family, raising children, or working demanding jobs.
