‘I WOULD HAVE BEEN A GREAT MOTHER’
FORTY YEARS ON FROM THE RELEASE OF 9 TO 5, DOLLY PARTON IS STILL BUSTING STEREOTYPES AND DOING THINGS HER WAY
Queen of country Dolly Parton was flexing girl power long before the Spice Girls burst on to the scene. The message of female empowerment runs deep in her classic film 9 To 5, in which she played kind-hearted secretary Doralee Rhodes, who sets out to bring down her sexist boss. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the movie, which saw Dolly win two of her 11 Grammys thanks to the catchy, self-penned theme tune.
In the upcoming Still Working 9 To 5 documentary, she touches on how the workplace is still rife with gender inequality issues. “My lord, it’s 40 years now and it’s still important,” says Dolly. “Anybody that’s working should be paid for what they do.”
However, at 74, she’s still reluctant to be dubbed a feminist. “I don’t really go for titles. But I’m all for all our gals. I think everybody has the right to be who they are,” she explains.
During her career Dolly has boldly challenged classic ‘dumb blonde’ stereotypes, saying, “I look like a woman, but I think like a man.” The savvy star was one of the first female songwriters to take control of her own music rights and made millions as the creator of Whitney Houston’s hit I Will Always Love You.
With her Dollywood theme parks, nearly 50 solo albums, a gripping performance in Steel Magnolias, and the world’s first cloned sheep named in her honour, it’s no wonder Glastonbury goers showed their love for her when she played the Sunday Legends slot in 2014.
Her rags to rhinestone story is truly inspiring. Born one of 12 children in Tennessee, she started performing on the local scene as a teenager, before making her name as a country star.
Always keeping her private life just that, she reasons, “That’s what keeps me sane, and I guess it’s what keeps people intrigued.” As a result, little is known about her husband Carl, who she married in 1966.
Dogged by rumours of affairs, Dolly says, “Men are my weakness. Short, fat, bald or skinny – I’ve had crushes on some very unusual men but Carl knows I’ll always come home. I’m just flirting and having fun.”
The couple renewed their vows on their 50th anniversary in 2016, but never realised their dream of having children. In
1984, after collapsing on stage, Dolly was diagnosed with endometriosis. Aged 36 she had a partial hysterectomy, ending her chances of conceiving naturally. Driven by grief, the 5ft singer became trapped in a cycle of extreme dieting and binge eating, gaining 50lb.
“I went through a dark time, until I made myself snap out of it,” she later said.
“I would have been a great mother,” she added, but concedes she “would’ve felt guilty” about leaving her family to tour the world and “probably wouldn’t have been a star”.
Instead, she focuses on being the best auntie she can and godmother to many, including Miley Cyrus.
Her cartoon-like appearance has long been a hot topic, but Dolly readily confesses to having had nips, tucks, liposuction and collagen injections. “I look fake, but my world is real to me,” she insists, revealing that she has tattoos of butterflies and bows to cover the scars.
Of her ample chest, which she had reduced slightly in 2004 due to backache, she says, “I’ve had them pumped up. I wasn’t born with them this big. It’s part of my persona, and it’s part of the Dolly look. How I feel inside is more important.”
In May, Dolly released her quarantineinspired song When Life Is Good Again paying tribute to frontline workers. She hopes to release her much-anticipated Christmas album later this year.
She says, “I will never retire unless I have to. As long as I’m able to get up in the morning, get that make-up on and my high heels on.” And the world is a better place for that, Dolly!