Things You Didn’t Know About Dolly Parton

1. 'Jolene' Was Inspired By A Bank Teller

Image source / YouTube'Jolene' has to be one of Parton's biggest hits and is a tale of flirtation.  It was slightly inspired by a bank teller who set her sights on Dolly's husband, Carl Dean.  He, apparently, loved the attention! It all became a bit of a running joke and the innocent song was penned as tongue in cheek although it didn't sound like that to the listeners.

2. She is Miley Cyrus' Honorary Godmother

Image source / PeopleBack in the 1990s, Miley Cyrus' father, Billy Ray, had a huge hit with 'Achy Breaky Heart'. He was also the opener on some of Parton's shows and appeared in her video for 'Romeo.'  Because the two of them became such great friends, he asked Dolly to be godmother to his daughter.

3. Parton Rejected An Offer From Elvis Presley

Image source / VogueBefore Dolly hit the world running with 'I will Always Love You' from 'The Bodyguard', Elvis' manage, Colonel Tom Parker, asked her if Elvis could cover the song.  Even though it was a flattering request, it meant Parton would have to relinquish 50% of the publishing royalties.

4. 'I Will Always Love You' Wasn't About A Romantic Partner

Image source / Vogue'I Will Always Love You,' popularized by Whitney Houston, is an iconic song in the history of music.  You may be surprised to know the lyrics center on the end of a professional relationship as opposed to a romantic one.  In the early 1970s, Parton appeared with her mentor Porter Wagoner on his TV show but when it came time for her to forge her own career as a solo artist, Wagoner wasn't happy and a rift formed.

5. Dolly Has A Net Worth of $600 Million

Image source / Geo.TVThe queen of country has built a net worth of over $600 million over the past half century.  She has experienced 25 number 1 hits and sold 130 million records.  She is aso the only artist with top 20 hits across six decades!  Her wealth increased with the opening of her theme park, movie rolls and a successful fashion line.

6. She Once Lost A Dolly Parton Lookalike Contest

Image source / Honey CelebrityParton has described herself as flashy and flamboyant and states that if she had not been a girl, she would definitely have been a drag queen!  When she had the chance to embrace the glamour during a lookalike contest where she just needed to be herself, she LOST and came second!

7. Dolly Parton Has A Wig for Every Day Of The Year

Image source / Hallmark ChannelDolly Parton is well known for her signature blonde tresses and she own an impressive collection of wigs to ensure that she never has a bad hair day!  Whenever she is interviewed on the subject, she jokes that she possesses at least 365 hair-pieces, a different one for every day of the year.

8. Parton Sleeps In Her Makeup

Image source / AllureEvery beauty guru will tell you that you should always wash your makeup off before bed but Dolly chooses to ignore the sensible tip.  When asked, her response was, 'You never know if you're going to wreck the bus, you never know if you're going to be somewhere in a hotel and there's going to be a fire.'  She leaves her makeup on at night and cleans her face in the morning.

9. She Prefers Pie To Birthday Cake

Image source / Reddit

It's traditional to have cake on your birthday but as Parton is partial to a pie, that is her go-to on her special day.  She says, 'I don't eat much cake. I usually have pie on my birthday.  My favorite pie is chess pie.'   Once this was known, fans would send in home baked goodies for the superstar.

10. Dolly Has Tattoos To Cover Small Scars

Image source / Daily MailParton's tattoos are something of an urban legend and fans have speculated if she actualy had any and why she would hide them.  Dolly finally cleared up the confusion and said that when she was sick for a while and was left with scars from feeding tubes, she decided to cover up with ribbon, bow and butterfly tattoos.

11. She Can Play Lots Of Musical Instruments

Image source / BuzzFeedThe country legend is a talented multi-instrumentalist.  She can play the dulcimer, banjo, guitar, piano, recorder and saxophone, to name but a few!  She says her family is very musical and they all play instruments, some of them not as good as others but enough to make a show!

12. Parton Has Never Been On A Ride In Her Theme Park

Image source / GlamourDollywood opened in 1961 and is a theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.  It was fashioned after Parton's childhood fantasies. The attraction boasts roller coasters and water rides, none of which have tempted Dolly to try out!  As she gets motion sickness and is worried she might lose her hair on the rides, she doesn't want to tempt fate.

13. Dolly's First Crush Was Johnny Cash

Image source / PinterestAs a teenager, Parton performed at the renowned Grand Ole' Opry in Nashville, Tennessee and this is where she first laid eyes on the 'Man in Black' himself.  She is reported to have said that when sitting in the audience, she looked up at Johnny Cash and thought he oozed sex appeal, the way he moved his shoulder!

14. She Has Two Guinness World Records

Image source / InsiderIn January 2018, Parton won two Guinness World Records for the most decades with a Top 20 hit on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart as well as the most hits on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart by a female artist for six consecutive decades and 107 trending tracks.

15. She Wakes At 3 a.m. To Meditate

Image source / RedditIn her classic song '9 to 5,' Parton famously sings, 'Tumble outta bed and stumble to the kitchen, pour myself a cup of ambition.' We can assume this takes place after she wakes up at 3 a.m.  She confirmed it was true as she likes to meditate at the unearthly hour before she checks her mail and makes calls.

16. She Follows A Low Carb Diet

Image source / RedditDolly has named banana pudding, chicken and dumplings and roast pork as her most favorite foods.  'The greasier the food, the better. My best bet is to stay on low carb because on a low carb you can actually eat quite a bit of food of the things you're allowed.'

17. She has Been Married For Over 50 Years

Image source / US WeeklyDolly Parton launched a successful music career and found the love of her life in Nashville, Tennessee.  She met Carl Dean outside the laundromat!  Two years later they were married.  Although they have always been away from each other for periods of time, they make sure to enjoy every minute together, when they can - how romantic!

18. Parton Created A Library To Promote Literacy

Image source / WHYYIn 1995, Parton was inspired by her father's illiteracy and she opened up Dolly's Imagination Library in Sevier County, Tennessee.  This provided an avenue for kids to learn to read and the organisation has so far sent 120 million books to children worldwide.  How amazing is that?

19. Dolly, The Cloned Sheep, Was Named After Parton

Image source / The TimesIn 1996, another Dolly made waves — the female sheep to be the first mammal cloned from an adult cell.  Dr Ian Wilmut led the team of scientists in Scotland behind the creation of Dolly and told the BBC, 'Dolly is derived from a mammary gland cell and we couldn't think of a more impressive pair of glands than Dolly Parton's.'  Dolly was flattered.

20. She Has Had The Same Best Friend Since Childhood

Image source / Daily MailParton's marriage is not the only enduring relationship she has.  Judy Ogle has been Parton's closest friend for over 60 years.  As both their parents' were good friends, they grew up together, like sisters.  Judy was quiet and Dolly was loud so they were perfect for each other!

21. She saved 9 Year Old Co-Star On Set Of Her 2020 Netflix Film

Image source / The New York TimesParton appeared in the Netflix holiday movie 'Christmas on the Square' as an angel which turned out to be very fitting as she saved her co-star, 9 year old Talia Hill, from an oncoming vehicle.  The young girl was pulled out of the way by Dolly and if she hadn't been, it could have been so very nasty.

22. She's Terrified Of Flying on A Commercial Plane

Image source / Daily TelegraphIf she had it her way, the country singer said she would never travel any miles by plane. Parton once confessed that she’s actually scared of flying because she feels helpless and can't get out if she wants to!  She opts to fly by private jet as a compromise but still gets very nervous before the flight.