Dolly Parton, the celebrated country singer, humanitarian, and bedazzled, bleach-blonde glamazon, has died at the age of 80. Tributes have poured in from across the music, fashion, and film worlds, with heartfelt reflections on Parton’s humor, spirit, and decades-spanning musical legacy.
“A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family,” said a statement posted to Parton’s Instagram.
“I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve thought to myself, ‘what would Dolly do?’” Cyndi Lauper wrote in her own tribute.
Over the years, culture has attempted to document the magic: there was Dolly Parton’s America, a podcast devoted to her rise; a Netflix show, Heartstrings; a musical and a book, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics; all topped off with a festive movie, Christmas on the Square. Decades after she first stepped into the spotlight, the queen of country music (and her rhinestone-embellished attire) has continued to inspire a love that knows no bounds.
Amid the emotional missives, there still remains the fact that no one could encapsulate Parton’s pop culture-defining life as well as Parton herself. Her witty, often wise words would stop you in your tracks. What just came out of that lipsticked mouth, under the gravity-defying hair? With a career spanning over 50 years and a string of unforgettable songs to her name, Parton managed to achieve the near-impossible: cross-generational appeal.
In commemoration of Parton’s shining star, Vogue takes a look back at some of her greatest quotes ever—along with some of her best (and crystal-embellished) ensembles.
