TENNESSEE - CIRCA 1955: Country singer Dolly Parton poses for a portrait in circa 1955 in Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
That dimple truly was for life.
1965
NASHVILLE - 1965: Country singer Dolly Parton poses for a portrait in 1965 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
This photo is a repeat from the other slideshow, because IT IS AMAZING. How could I not? And yet, for all that hair height, you're drawn right to her face.
1970
Album cover for "The Fairest of Them All" by Dolly Parton which was released in 1970. (Photo by Donaldson Collection/Getty Images)
This album cover is so funny to me. The flowers poking up into her reflection! Trim those, stylists!
1970
American singer-songwriter, actress, and philanthropist Dolly Parton poses for an advertisement for Hercules Tires circa 1970 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bob Grannis/Leila Grossman/Getty Images)
All promo is good promo. What's always been true about Dolly: If she showed up, she gave you FULL DOLLY, whatever that meant at the time.
1975
FALCON HEIGHTS, MN. - AUGUST 1975: Country music singer songwriter Dolly Parton Tuesday, August 26, 1975, before a concert at the Minnesota State Fair grandstand in Falcon Heights, Minn. (Photo by Pete Hohn/Star Tribune via Getty Images)
The hair height here is also very special.
1976
CIRCA 1976: Country singer Dolly Parton poses for a portrait in circa 1976. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
If you're Dolly, what height do you claim on your driver's license? With or without the hair?
1976
*** Local Caption *** Watscan - - 29/07/2009 (Photo by Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)
Tremendous.
1977
Dolly Parton 1977 (Photo by Chris Walter/WireImage)
One thing I love about Dolly is that she was so much more than a singer and a songwriter. She was a musician.
1978
LOS ANGELES - 1978: Country singer Dolly Parton poses for a portrait session in 1978 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry Langdon/Getty Images)
Quite possibly the world's greatest photo shoot.
1979
Musician Dolly Parton Receives The City of Los Angeles Proclamation on September 20, 1979 at Los Angeles City Hall in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
What a perfect cascade of ruffles.
1980
Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda at the Luchows in New York City, New York (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
This event was in the other slideshow, but not this actual picture. Jane could wear that dress now. I love how much this movie tied together these three awesome women.
1983
American Country and Western singer Dolly Parton plane lands in London. Dolly Is booked for three concerts at the Dominion Theatre in London. (Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)
You scamp, Dolly.
1984
Dolly Parton in publicity portrait for the film 'Rhinestone', 1984. (Photo by 20th Century-Fox/Getty Images)
This is for "Rhinestone," her movie with Stallone. They got their Walk of Fame stars at the same time -- a joint ceremony -- during promotion for this one.
1987
Dolly Parton leaves the "Ms Magazine's Women of the Year" ceremony, held at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City, New York, United States, 12th January 1987.(Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
This is so exuberantly1980s.
1988
Musicians Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton attend The RP Foundation Fighting Blindness Humanitarian Award Dinner Honoring Frank Bennack, Jr. on April 19, 1988 at The Grand Ballroom, Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City, New York. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
I couldn't NOT honor our beloved islands in the stream. That is what they were.
Mary Chapin Carpenter, Lyle Lovett, and Dolly Parton, 1988
NASHVILLE - OCTOBER 10: Country singer and songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter,Lyle Lovett, and Dolly Parton backstage before the CMA Award Show Backstage October 10, 1988 in Nashville, Tennessee. (photo by Beth Gwinn/Getty Images)
Lyle is trying to give Dolly's hair height a run for its money. His left side MIGHT be winning.
1988
PIGEON FORGE, TN - OCTOBER 24: American singer and songwriter Dolly Parton poses for a portrait at Dollywood on October 24, 1988 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. (Photo by Ron Davis/Getty Images)
Dolly bought this park and made it what it is because she wanted to bring jobs to Pigeon Forge, where she was born. I believe it employs 4,000 now.
Steel Magnolias Cast Portrait Session 1989
LOS ANGELES - OCTOBER 1989: Steel Magnolias actresses Julia Roberts, Sally Field, Shirley MacClaine, Dolly Parton, and Daryl Hannah pose for a portrait in October 1989 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty Images)
I object to the lack of Olympia Dukakis in this photo.
1989
American singer-songwriter, actress, and businesswoman Dolly Parton (1946 - 2026), poses for a portrait at Caesar's Lake Tahoe in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, September 22, 1989. (Photo by Ron Davis/Getty Images)
I know what I'm wearing on the next New Year's Eve.
1989
Dolly Parton at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City, November 15th 1989. (Photo by Tom Wargacki/WireImage)
This is fabulous on her.
1989
American singer-songwriter, actress, and businesswoman Dolly Parton (1946 - 2026), poses for a studio portrait in Lake Tahoe, California, December 31, 1989. (Photo by Ron Davis/Getty Images)
This cracked me up. It's from a longer photoshoot, and that fuzzy thing is her sleeve.
1993
Dolly Parton during 8th Season Grand Opening of Dollywood at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN, United States. (Photo by Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
This is also great. You know that old thought that the Queen used to dress to make sure people who came to see her but were far away could still spot her? I think Dolly also applied that logic.
1993
PIGEON FORGE,TN - APRIL 24: Musician Dolly Parton attends the Opening Weekend Celebration of Dollywood on April 24, 1993 at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Imagine riding the ferris wheel and then realizing DOLLY HERSELF is on it with you.
1993
PIGEON FORGE,TN - APRIL 24: Musician Dolly Parton attends the Opening Weekend Celebration of Dollywood on April 24, 1993 at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Of course she's in first place! SHE'S DOLLY.
2003
ATLANTA - JUNE 9: The stars of the movie "9 to 5", (L to R) Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda and Dabney Coleman reunite for the 8th Annual Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention gala June 9, 2003 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Erik S. Lesser/Getty Images)
The three women often got back together for a variety of reasons and causes. Dabney Coleman, less so, which makes this extra fun.
Dolly Parton, Dabney Coleman, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin ***Exclusive*** (Photo by R. Diamond/WireImage)
Okay, but those puppets are cursed, they just are.
2004
11/20/2004 Photo by Krissy Krummenacker 200403198 Dolly Parton performs at the Sovereign Center Saturday, November 20, 2004. (Photo By MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images)
Dolly did love capris.
Dolly and Reba, 2005
Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire (Photo by Michael Caulfield Archive/WireImage)
I forgot she did an episode of Reba, with -- of course -- Reba. What a party.
2005 with Elton John
NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 15: Sir Elton John and Dolly Parton perform at the 39th Annual Country Music Association Awards at Madison Square Garden November 15, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images)
Truly, half the industry ought to have a special Piano Picture of them with Dolly. In Elton's case, it might be literal.
2006
LOS ANGELES - MARCH 30: Actors Jane Fonda (L), Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton pose at the "9 to 5" 25th Anniversary DVD Launch and Cast Reunion party at the Annix on March 30, 2006 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
This was the 25th anniversary DVD release of 9 to 5. Dolly looks kicky and Jane is making me rethink whether I need a trench. (And Lily makes me wish it would be Wine Cardigan season ANYTIME at all soon.)
2014
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 13: Dolly Parton performs on NBC's "Today" at Rockefeller Plaza on May 13, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images)
She is a hoot. FRINGE capris! What a treasure.
KNOXVILLE, TN - MAY 28: Dolly Parton performs during a concert to benefit Dolly's Imagination Library & Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation at The University of Tennessee's Thompson-boling Arena on May 28, 2014 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
... Did Dolly ACTUALLY play a tiny bedazzled sax?!?!?!?
2015
NASHVILLE, TN - AUGUST 01: Dolly Parton: Pure & Simple Benefiting The Opry Trust Fund at Ryman Auditorium on August 1, 2015 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
She truly does everything. Did everything. Sigh.
2015
HOLLYWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 2: Dolly Parton attends the premiere of Warner Bros. Television's "Dolly Parton's Coat Of Many Colors" on December 2, 2015 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by JB Lacroix/WireImage)
This was for a TV movie she produced that was roughly autobiographical, called Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors. I mean, obviously that part is autobiographical -- her outfit! -- but also it's about her as a child growing up in poverty and learning about faith.
2017
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: (L-R) Actors Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda speak onstage during the 69th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
The gals got back together AGAIN at the Emmys, looking amazing, except I will never get used to Jane with a long sleek ponytail.
2019
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Dolly Parton attends MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Dolly Parton at Los Angeles Convention Center on February 8, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Sincerely, Dolly never showed up cranky, or at least not visibly. That is HARD.
2019
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 10: Dolly Parton attends the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
A queen in red!
2019: with Miley
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 10: Dolly Parton (L) and Miley Cyrus perform onstage during the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
She and Miley were close, as Miley was/is her goddaughter. That must leave an extra big hole for Miley. I'm so glad they got to perform together several times, so that she has those memories.
2022
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 07: Dolly Parton attends the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards at Allegiant Stadium on March 07, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for ACM)
Glorious.
2022
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 07: Co-host Dolly Parton speaks onstage during the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards at Allegiant Stadium on March 07, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for ACM)
EVEN BETTER.
2023
Singer Dolly Parton attends the Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards at Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, Texas, on May 11, 2023. (Photo by SUZANNE CORDEIRO / AFP) (Photo by SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP via Getty Images)
I think she has introduced velvet, or velour, into her arsenal here.
2023
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 16: (EDITORS NOTE: This image has been retouched.) Dolly Parton attends Dolly Parton's Rockstar VIP Album Release Party with American Greetings on November 16, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for American Greetings)
I love her so much and this outfit is CRACKERS in the most delicious way. It's like Dolly Parton's Batman.
2025
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 20: Dolly Parton attends Dolly Parton's Threads: My Songs In Symphony World Premiere at Schermerhorn Symphony Center on March 20, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Sniffle. I believe this was her first appearance after Carl died, and not long after, either. Look how much she gave of herself even through grief.
2025
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MAY 19: Dolly Parton attends the opening of Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum's new exhibit 'Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker' at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on May 19, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
If you look at the other slideshow, she wore a lot of these pants with filmy shins. She loved them right up until the end.
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 25: Flowers are laid on Dolly Parton's star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 25, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Slick/Star Max/GC Images)
So long, farewell, Dolly. But you'll never really be gone.
