Pick Your Favorite Dolly Parton Quote, and We’ll Give You a Dolly Parton Recipe to Try

The iconic singer, songwriter, philanthropist and businesswoman celebrates her 80th birthday on January 19. At Taste of Home, any day is a reason to celebrate Miss Dolly Parton, but we’re happy to go the extra mile when the occasion calls for it.

Whether you’re a fan of her music, style, faith, sense of humor or charitable efforts, there’s just something about Dolly that brings people together. Family and food are Dolly’s two favorite things, and anyone who has visited Dollywood can attest to that. I visited her eponymous theme park for the first time last year, and I was lucky enough to see Dolly in person. I’ve never seen an audience so rapt with attention while listening to someone speak—hanging on her every word and laughing at her many jokes.

To honor the woman who has given us so much, I rounded up 10 of my favorite quotes of hers from over the years. I paired each quote with a Dolly Parton recipe. Find your favorite quote, get cookin’, and celebrate Dolly through a good meal. Cheers, y’all!

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“Never ignore your roots, your home or your hair.”

One of the biggest non-food takeaways I had when I visited Dollywood was learning that Dolly insisted on putting a salon in her DreamMore Resort. She knows just how important a fresh set of nails and a wash and blow-dry can be for improving your mood. Staying grounded is also very important to her, and nothing has a deeper connection to Dolly’s childhood than her mother’s stone soup recipe.

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“A rhinestone shines just as good as a diamond.”

If there’s one thing that Dolly loves, it’s anything that sparkles. She’s consistently turning out in bedazzled looks that mirror her dazzling personality. But she’s also very pragmatic and down-to-earth. It’s not about cost, it’s about vibes. Why spend your hard-earned money on something expensive when the dupe works just as well? While I’m sure Dolly would love to have you come visit her theme park, she’s also made her famous cinnamon bread recipe available so you can make a copycat at home.

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“Find out who you are, and do it on purpose.”

This is my personal favorite Dolly Parton quote. It’s so simple, but speaks to the essence of both who she is and what she wants people to take away from her legacy. Dolly is always upfront in talking about her ambition and how hard she’s worked to get to where she is. Living the life you want is a celebration in and of itself. And that’s why I love that Dolly finds a way to eat her favorite food every single day. Talk about an achievable goal!

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“Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.”

One of Dolly’s most admirable qualities is the emphasis that she places on family. Growing up, she was one of twelve children and was very close with her parents and brothers and sisters. Now, all of her nieces and nephews affectionately call her “Aunt Granny” as the ultimate way to honor her. Even with all the fame and accolades Dolly’s received, family comes first—that’s why Aunt Granny’s restaurant at Dollywood serves food family-style. Celebrate your own family with a double batch of her signature chicken and dumplings recipe.

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“My weaknesses have always been food and men—in that order.”

Dolly’s sly and deprecating sense of humor is unparalleled. Whenever she has a chance to mention food or men, she will. I’m sure that even before it became a viral sensation, Dolly made her own version of marry me chicken for her husband, Carl Dean. They met outside a laundromat in 1964, and were together for 60 years before Carl passed away in 2025. Their meet-cute is as sweet as Dolly’s butterscotch pie—and also serves as a really handy reminder not to neglect your laundry.

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“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain!”

Another classic Dolly-ism. She is not someone who ever backs down when faced with a challenge or gives up in the face of tragedy. She believes wholeheartedly that the ups and downs of her life are just part of living and keeps her head held high. Her kindness seems innate, and her generosity is legendary. Every day is a chance to start fresh, and there’s no better way to do that than with a big, hearty breakfast. Her scrambled egg recipe includes a pretty genius trick—try it on your next clear blue morning.

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“It costs a lot of money to look this cheap.”

This might be Dolly’s most famous quote. It’s quintessential Dolly: blunt and funny. Her personal style is totally unique, and that’s the way she likes it. She’s always been cheeky and forthcoming about her beauty and fashion routines and probably loves wigs more than anyone in the world. When I was in Dollywood, I bought a rhinestone-studded tube of red lipstick in the shade “Jolene”—how could I not? Dolly is forever reminding us to find luxury even in really basic things. This pimento cheese sandwich recipe is straightforward yet fashionable, just like Dolly.

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“Above everything else I’ve done, I’ve always said I’ve had more guts than I’ve got talent.”

Even with a ton of talent, her endeavors as a singer, songwriter, actor, philanthropist and businesswoman wouldn’t have been successful without putting the work in. And beyond the work, it’s about putting yourself out there time and time again. Rejection is a huge part of the music industry, but Dolly never let it get her down. That relentlessness is what brought her the success she’s enjoying to this day. And if you are in need of a challenge or want to go the extra mile, try Dolly’s hickory-grilled ham recipe the next time you want to kick yourself into gear.

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“I’m not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I’m not dumb—and I also know that I’m not blonde.”

Another classic from Dolly! The sexism she faced in the media from her looks is well-documented. But if you watch old clips from talk shows and interviews, you’ll notice that jabs never shake or rattle Dolly. She has always held her head high and stays one step ahead of any joke someone wants to make at her expense. Her unapologetic attitude about expressing herself is a big part of why people love her. This fun and lighthearted approach makes me think of one of my favorite easy lunch recipes from Dolly: her pecan chicken salad.

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“I’m the little engine that did.”

Dolly’s philanthropy is as famous as her music career. Her Imagination Library has sent out 200 million free books to children around the world and shows no signs of slowing down. The children’s book The Little Engine That Could is the very first book that everyone in the program receives—complete with a personal message from Dolly. When you stay at one of the resorts at Dollywood, there’s a TV channel dedicated to showing Dolly Parton reading children’s books. It’s one of the most thoughtful touches I’ve ever seen at any hotel. This 11-time Grammy award winning powerhouse is wearing pajamas, tucked in bed, and reading her favorite children’s books for any guests that want a bedtime story.

Time and time again, Dolly proves that she is truly a one-of-a-kind star—and that the world is a better place with her in it. To celebrate her any time of year, you can make a batch of her famous biscuits and milk gravy to share with your loved ones.