Dolly Parton and the Courage to Become Yourself

I was never a fan of Dolly Parton’s music. But I loved Dolly Parton. I loved how she did business and how she turned her success toward charity—a combination I have rarely seen among musicians and celebrities. Most of all, I loved how completely she seemed to know who she was. Dolly Parton died on August 25, 2026, at age 80, but the life she built remains instructive. Her influence reaches beyond her songs, rhinestones, and unmistakable voice. Across a seven-decade career, she was ambitious without appearing consumed by status, generous without making generosity a performance, and completely herself without demanding everyone’s approval. I did not know her, of course. I loved the person she showed us: funny, generous, shrewd, and secure in herself. Her clothes, accent, business decisions, humor, and philanthropy all seemed to belong to the same person. Dolly’s life was extraordinary, but its most valuable lessons are surprisingly ordinary. They are about knowing who you are,…