Dolly Parton's Wise (and Refreshing) Thoughts on Turning 80, 'Not That Anybody Would Want to Celebrate That' (Exclusive)
- - Dolly Parton's Wise (and Refreshing) Thoughts on Turning 80, 'Not That Anybody Would Want to Celebrate That' (Exclusive)
Jack IrvinJanuary 19, 2026 at 8:30 PM
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Dolly Parton in Nashville in May 2025 -
PEOPLE is celebrating Dolly Parton's life and career with a new special edition, available now
Parton turns 80 on Monday, Jan. 19
The special edition features our November 2025 cover story interview with the "Jolene" singer-songwriter
Happy birthday, Dolly Parton!
PEOPLE is celebrating Parton's life and career with a new special edition, available now! The issue, which hit newsstands on Friday, Jan. 16 features our November 2025 cover story interview with the "Jolene" singer-songwriter, who turns 80 on Monday, Jan. 19.
"People say, 'Well, you're going to be 80 years old.’ Well, so what? Look at all I’ve done in 80 years. I feel like I’m just getting started," the 11-time Grammy winner told PEOPLE exclusively at the time.
Jim Wright
PEOPLE's Dolly Parton special edition issue
"I know that sounds stupid, but unless my health gives way, which right now I seem to be doing fine," added Parton.
While the country icon postponed her Las Vegas residency in September due to "health challenges," she since explained she's "okay" in an Instagram video. "I love you for caring, and keep praying for me," she said in October.
Elsewhere in Parton's latest PEOPLE cover story, she expressed feeling as though "there's a lot to be said about age."
"If you allow yourself to get old, you will. I say, ‘I ain’t got time to get old!’ I ain’t got time to dwell on that. That’s not what I’m thinking about," she said.
Parton also spoke about looking forward to her 80th birthday — sort of. "Not that anybody would want to celebrate that, but there is a celebration in the fact that I have done so much in that time and that I’m still doing it," she noted.
The "Here You Come Again" artist continued, "I don’t know what I’m going to be doing tomorrow. Whatever comes, I’ll give it my best."
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Dolly Parton in Los Angeles in November 2022
So far, Parton's accomplished quite a bit in her career. In addition to her Grammys, she's earned 25 No. 1 songs on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Additionally, 21 of her songs have been certified gold or platinum by the RIAA.
Looking at her illustrious and prolific career as an entertainer, Parton told PEOPLE, "I got to see my dreams come true."
PEOPLE's special issue is available at newsstands and Amazon now.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
