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Dolly Parton death: Lesser-known facts about the country music icon

Updated On: 26 August, 2026 12:17 PM IST | Amarylisa Gonsalves

Legendary country singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80. The iconic singer breathed her last on August 25, 2026, after a brief battle with cancer. Over a career spanning over six decades, Dolly earned fame known not only for her music but also for her humour, warmth and intelligence. As the world mourns the passing of the legend, here's a look at some lesser-known facts about her.

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01
Dolly Parton. Pics via X, AFP
Dolly Parton. Pics via X, AFP
02
Dolly once secretly participated in a a Dolly Parton celebrity drag queen lookalike contest and ended up losing to a competitor.
Dolly once secretly participated in a a Dolly Parton celebrity drag queen lookalike contest and ended up losing to a competitor.
03
Dooly Paron and husband Carl Dean, chose not to have kids. Parton often said that not having children gave her the freedom to build her career.
Dooly Paron and husband Carl Dean, chose not to have kids. Parton often said that not having children gave her the freedom to build her career.
04
Despite often playing up the 'dumb blonde' stereotype early in her career after her first chart-topping track Dumb Blonde, Dolly actually boasted an IQ of over 140.
Despite often playing up the 'dumb blonde' stereotype early in her career after her first chart-topping track Dumb Blonde, Dolly actually boasted an IQ of over 140.
05
When Dolly Parton was born on January 19, 1946, her parents did not have enough money and hence paid the doctor who delivered her with a sack of cornmeal. She grew up with 11 siblings.
When Dolly Parton was born on January 19, 1946, her parents did not have enough money and hence paid the doctor who delivered her with a sack of cornmeal. She grew up with 11 siblings.
06
Interestingly, Dolly was also a talented multi-instrumentalist who played the dulcimer, banjo, guitar, piano, recorder, and saxophone, among several other instruments.
Interestingly, Dolly was also a talented multi-instrumentalist who played the dulcimer, banjo, guitar, piano, recorder, and saxophone, among several other instruments.
07
Parton slept with her makeup on. She once told told The New York Times, "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. So I leave my makeup on at night and clean my face in the morning."
Parton slept with her makeup on. She once told told The New York Times, "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. So I leave my makeup on at night and clean my face in the morning."
08
Parton has a clones sheep named after her. Sir Ian Wilmut, creadted the cloned sheep in Scotland, 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."
Parton has a clones sheep named after her. Sir Ian Wilmut, creadted the cloned sheep in Scotland, 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."
09
Dolly was the honorary godmother to pop star Miley Cyrus. She even playing her on-screen godmother on the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana.
Dolly was the honorary godmother to pop star Miley Cyrus. She even playing her on-screen godmother on the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana.
10
Parton had an impressive collection of wigs. In 2016 she told Vogue, "Oh, heavens, I have no idea. I can't really count them all. I always make a joke and say, 'I wear one almost every day, so I must have at least 365!'"
Parton had an impressive collection of wigs. In 2016 she told Vogue, "Oh, heavens, I have no idea. I can't really count them all. I always make a joke and say, 'I wear one almost every day, so I must have at least 365!'"
11
She was offered the Presidential Medal of Freedom twice by Donald Trump's administration. However, she politely declined both times due to her husband's health issues and later the pandemic. She was also considered by Jeo Biden's administration, but she hesitated and ultimately moved away from accepting it.
She was offered the Presidential Medal of Freedom twice by Donald Trump's administration. However, she politely declined both times due to her husband's health issues and later the pandemic. She was also considered by Jeo Biden's administration, but she hesitated and ultimately moved away from accepting it.

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