Dolly Parton, the iconic singer, songwriter, actor and philanthropist who died today at age 80, left behind a legacy for the ages. Here's what I learned from Dolly about celebrating life and eating well.
The first time I saw Dolly Parton in real life, I was stunned. She was simply strolling through the lobby of a hotel at Dollywood, her Tennessee theme park, but she felt so much larger than life. This was aided, of course, by the 4-inch platform high heels on her feet.
What made the moment so iconic was how the crowd around her reacted. We had gotten a tip that Dolly might be staying at the hotel for Dollywood’s 40th anniversary celebration. People eagerly lined up in the lobby, excitedly chatting about when Dolly would arrive. One woman lamented that she wished she was wearing something nicer, and her friend scolded her and said, “Miss Dolly doesn’t care about that!”
Typically, celebrities arrive off hours or are whisked away through a back entrance. But Dolly (and her security team, of course) walked right through the front door, waved at all of us, and said, “Hi, y’all! Thanks for coming!” in her signature southern accent. The energy in that lobby was off the charts.
I am not someone who usually gets starstruck. As a journalist, I interact with celebrities a lot.
But Dolly was different.
What Dolly Taught Me About Life
“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.” —Dolly Parton
The first time I visited Dollywood, I had just been laid off from my full-time media job. I pivoted to freelancing, which is inconsistent and unpredictable. Everything felt miserable and chaotic. I went to Dollywood on assignment to cover the Flower and Food Festival, and it was the first time I felt like everything might work out. I’d never been surrounded by so much joy before. And it was because we were all there to bask in Dolly’s glow.
At one point, while walking through the park, I heard a little kid crying. I turned around and saw a girl holding her dad’s hand. She wasn’t doing a real cry, but that whiny, “pay attention to me” kind of cry that any parent can spot a mile away. He said, “You know, if you don’t stop crying, you can’t go on the rides. Miss Dolly doesn’t let people go on rides if they’re crying.” The little girl immediately stopped.
That’s when the true power of Dolly really sank in. This dad knew that invoking “Miss Dolly” meant serious business. Her power was something to behold. From her humble mountain upbringing to superstardom, Dolly lived a life of kindness, love and faith that most people only dream of.
“Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.” —Dolly Parton
This might sound dramatic, but I remember having an epiphany at Dollywood. Standing in front of a giant sparkly purple butterfly, a feeling washed over me. I knew that from that point on, wherever my life took me, I would be OK. The jobs will change, and there might never be enough money, but at the end of the day, I have me. And that’s all I need.
Well, almost all I need. I gotta eat!
What Dolly Taught Me About Food
“My weaknesses have always been food and men—in that order.” —Dolly Parton
If you love food, you have to treat yourself to a trip to Dollywood at least once in your life. I didn’t have a single bad or disappointing meal the entire time. And it makes sense that the food is good because Miss Dolly did not play about food!
I even got to ask Dolly Parton herself why the food is so memorable at her theme park. Here’s an excerpt from a story about Dollywood I wrote about last year:
Taste of Home: The food at Dollywood is known to be some of the best theme park food around. In fact, I would visit again just to eat your Hot Honey BBQ Pork Sandwich! Why is good food such an important part of the Dollywood experience, and how has it maintained its stellar quality and reputation over the years?
Dolly Parton: Well, if you know me, you know I believe that good food and good company go hand in hand. Some of life’s sweetest memories are made when we sit around a table, share a meal and swap stories with the ones we love. That’s why at Dollywood, we put just as much heart into our food as we do our rides and shows. We want folks to come hungry and leave happy—full of good food, good laughs and good memories. Our team has worked hard for 40 years to make sure we’re able to accomplish this with every meal we serve. We’re also proud of our great southern hospitality because that’s what makes the Dollywood experience so different.
It’s well known that Dolly ate potatoes every day and loved nothing more than a big, family-style meal. Prepared with love, of course.
What Dolly Taught Me About Love
“Find out who you are. And do it on purpose.” —Dolly Parton
Dolly was a singularly special person. But if you told her that, she’d brush it off. Part of why she is so iconic is because she believed that everything she did was simply how everyone should act. Be kind, generous and nonjudgmental. Open your home and your heart to people who need a good meal or a good cry. Share your success with the world without asking for anything in return.
I took my family to Dollywood for Mother’s Day this year. I wanted to share the food and joy with the people that I love the most in the world. Riding every roller coaster with my brother, tapping along to live music with my dad and making a hand-blown glass ornament with my mom are memories I’ll never forget. There’s just something about the magic of Dolly that helped me remember what’s truly important in life.
“You always want your people to be proud of what you have accomplished.” —Dolly Parton
Yes, Dolly changed my life for the better. But that’s nothing special, really, because she had that effect on everyone. Whether you were drawn to her for her music, her sense of humor, her fashion or her philanthropy, Dolly left her mark—her big, rhinestone-studded mark—on millions of people. We will always love her.
