Dolly Parton was 80 years old when she passed away on August 25. Brian Seaver, who was Parton’s nephew and head of security, represented the family as he announced her death on social media.
Parton had recently updated the public on the previous Friday about her about her health, which began to decline while taking care of husband, Carl Dean, who died March of last year.
Among those reflecting on Parton's legacy is Rick Green, co-host of American Family Radio (AFR)'s "At the Core" program. He remembers Parton not only as a titan of entertainment, but as an American icon who successfully navigated decades in the public eye by keeping the focus on unifying her audience.
“An American icon, just an amazing, amazing entertainer and someone that I think did a great job of threading the needle on just her, you know, things that she said publicly,” Green says.
Born in 1946, Parton grew up in Tennessee with 11 siblings with what she described as “dirt poor" conditions, and while they didn’t starve there were times they “never had quite enough to eat.”
Music had been a part of her since she was young, building up to the career she had that spanned over decades. By the mid-1970s, Parton was recognized as a queen in Nashville, dubbed the “Queen of Country.” A couple of her classic, well-known hits are “9 to 5” and “Jolene.”
While prominent figures often face backlash for taking divisive stances, Green notes that Parton's broad appeal stemmed from her ability to stay focused on positivity, even when opinions on her public statements varied.
“There were times that I disagreed with her on her public stance on some things, and then times I absolutely agreed with her. But in the totality of her career, an incredibly positive impact on America and the world,” Green states.
Parton was also very philanthropic. Her most well-known contributions might be the Dollywood Foundation, which is known for its scholarships efforts among other things, and Imagination Library, which is a childhood literacy program that has given children, since it started, more than 300 million free books in the U.S. and abroad. Her charity expands to children’s hospitals, relief efforts and multiple other projects, and she had received the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy.
Green also shares one of his favorite memories of the music icon, recalling her famously gracious and humorous reaction when Whitney Houston’s cover of “I Will Always Love You” broke record charts around the globe.
“Someone said to Dolly Parton, 'Are you jealous, are you upset?' And Dolly Parton just laughed. It was like, ‘Nope, I'm enjoying this very much and cashing those checks when they come in.’ So anyway, kind of a joyful understanding that a rising tide lifts all boats, I think would be the way to put that,” Green says.
Starting from humble beginnings, Parton has sailed to the top of the billboard charts and even to the big screen. Parton won three Emmy and 11 Grammy Awards, along with other music accolades, during her career.
As fans around the world celebrate her life, music and philanthropy, Green adds that Parton's legacy will ultimately be defined by the joy she brought to millions.
“I think if Dolly were here, she would say, ‘Remember the good times and enjoy the joyful things,’” Green concludes.
