As an undisputed legend of music and country queenhas performed before millions of people around the world. Therefore, listen to Dolly Parton interpret privately one of his songs in his Nashville studio It’s a dream come true. Sitting very close to us, the star sings one of her most festive songs, Bubbling Over. “I consider myself a happy person. As a child, I liked to have fun and check out what was out there. I always I was curious and somewhat troublemakerone of those girls for whom nothing was enough. I wanted to see more, do more, be more. I used to chase butterflies through the woods and get lost,” says Dolly, who grew up in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. “One of my great songs, a number one hit that I wrote 50 years ago, was Love is Like a Butterfly. Over the years, it has been my emblem, and at dollywoodmy theme park, the ‘w’ is a butterfly.”
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© Getty Imageshappy marriage
Although she keeps them covered under the ostentatious costumes she wears on stage, the superstar has butterflies tattooed all over her body. “I started getting some tattoos to cover some scars,” he confesses, alluding to his surgical interventions. Eternally young and famous for his long blonde hair, he assures that, at 78 years oldenjoys being able to lead a private and discreet life: “I look like a party doll, but when I’m not working, I’m a homebody. I love being at home, cooking, reading and doing little girly things and routines.” “My husband and I have always enjoyed each other,” she adds. “I love spending time with him. We have a small motorhome that we like to travel with, especially around Tennessee. “We’ve traveled all over the country in it.”
Dollywhich will soon celebrate its 60th wedding anniversary —she married Carl Dean when she was 20 and he was 23—says that mutual respect and a sense of humor are some of the secret ingredients of their happy marriage. She accepts her husband’s decision to step away from the spotlight and explains the reason for keeping her public image separate from her personal life. “He’s never liked going out to dinner and all that stuff. And even though I love having a nice evening with friends and having fun, it seemed natural to keep my personal life in private” she says. Although their relationship has withstood the pressure of fame, Dolly admits there have been a few bumps in the road. One of her biggest hits, Joleneabout a seductive red-haired woman who begs her not to take her man, is based on a real-life incident: “She was a very pretty girl, who worked at the bank where my husband spent the most time. which I considered necessary. One day I went down to deposit some money and I found him sitting at his desk. I asked him: ‘Hey, what are you doing with this pretty girl?’ He told me that he was negotiating a deal to buy a roller. for your business asphalt. And I said, ‘Don’t you think you should be talking about the roller with one of these hairy-legged guys?’ In the song, I just changed the girl’s name to protect the guilty party.”
“I consider myself a happy person. As a child, I wanted to have fun and see what was out there. I was always curious and a bit of a troublemaker, one of those girls for whom nothing was enough”
With an estimated net worth of $650 million and 100 million records sold worldwide, the singer of 9 to 5who grew up one of twelve siblings, in a two-room cabin, has never forgotten her roots. His growing family of siblings, nephews and nieces is his priority. “Does it also entertain his famous friends at home?” we ask him. “No,” he answers laughing. “Most of the time I only entertain my closest family and my close friends. I usually go to country musicians’ houses when they invite me, but I don’t rub shoulders with many stars. I get along well with several of them, but I can’t say that I hang out with them.” He pauses and adds: “I’m more united with Miley Cyrus than any of the others,” Dolly continues, referring to her goddaughter, with whom she collaborated on a new version of the hit Miley Wrecking Ballfor his album Rockstarand appeared as a guest star on Miley’s television series, Hannah Montana. “We are a close-knit family and we like to have fun,” says Dolly, who has no children.
“I started getting tattoos to cover some scars and I thought the best thing would be to decorate them with butterflies or flowers,” he confesses, alluding to his surgical interventions.
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© ANL/REXQueen Elizabeth II
“I have a big house and several spacious tables, so we can relax in any space. Everyone gathers in the dining room and kitchen, where the women usually end up.” And he adds: “My sister Rachel and I have released a new cookbook, ‘Good Lookin’ Cookin”with many of the recipes that we used to cook at home. We always prepared those of our mother, aunts and grandmothers. We are a big family that likes to eat, with big eaters, so we have to feed everyone. Christmas and the days of Thanksgiving and Easter are special occasions for us.” “I also love Halloween. I like to decorate the house in a fun way, especially the outside, although I also place my little pumpkins inside and hang fun decorations. “I like the house to look pretty, and during the Christmas holidays I put a tree in every room.”
He may prefer to keep certain aspects of his private life a secret, but, as royal royalty, countryDolly also met Queen Elizabeth II during Her Majesty’s tour of the United Kingdom to celebrate her Silver Jubileein 1977. The singer proudly keeps a framed photo of the moment they met backstage at the King’s Theaterfrom Glasgow, where she performed. Years later, at the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II, in 2022, Dolly appeared by video conference at the palace party to send a heartfelt message to the monarch: “I just wanted to thank you for being so wonderful. You are more than pearls and more than platinum. You have been a shining diamond in this world for a long time and everyone loves you too.
© Getty Images“I love spending time with my husband. We have a small motorhome that we like to travel with, especially around Tennessee. We have traveled all over the country in it”
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© Getty Images
© Getty Imageslegion of admirers
These types of special gatherings deserve a few bottles of bubbles to open, and Dolly has the perfect accompaniment. His butterfly symbol also appears in his new and exciting adventure: bottles of your collection Dolly Wineswhich includes a French rosé and a prosecco as effervescent as the artist herself. “I identify with sparkling wine,” she says with a laugh, then adds: “People told me I should have my own wine and I guess my music has taken me to a place where I can make that happen. I’m very proud and excited to it”.
“I go out mostly with friends and family. We are very close and we like to have fun,” says the singer, who does not have children.
Now his growing legion of fans hope he returns to the Glanstobury Festival next summer. “It was one of the great moments of my entire career. At the time, I wasn’t sure about doing it, because I know these types of festivals. The people who come like to drink and have fun, and I was wondering if they would listen to me while I was singing. I was made a bundle of nerves backstage, with all that whirlwind of people out there. But it was one of the best shows of my career,” he recalls. And he adds: “They enjoyed me when we played the happiest songs, and when I told stories, they stayed silent.” Will you return, then, to the famous stage? “Who knows? Anything is possible,” she smiles. There’s no doubt about it: if Dolly Parton ran for president,would win hearts from all of you!