Dolly Parton’s most iconic ‘Dolly-isms’ on beauty, wigs, Botox and living life on her own terms

Dolly Parton died peacefully in Nashville after a brief battle with cancer on Tuesday. The country music icon was 80 and spent decades in the limelight.

Along with her beloved music and philanthropic works, Parton will be remembered by fans for the many “Dolly-isms” she’s shared over the years. In 2022, the “9 to 5” singer herself took to Instagram to share some of her favorite quotes she’s given. In the video, she also gave a “translation” of what some of her famous one-liners meant.

For example, she once said, “It’s hard to be a diamond in a rhinestone world,” which she explained meant, “Why blend in when standing out is so much more fun!” Another famous line she included was, “It costs a lot of money to look this cheap,” which she translated to, “All that matters is being yourself and feeling great about it.”

Below is a look at the most famous “Dolly-isms” over the years.

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Dolly Parton had so many famous one-liners, the term “Dolly-isms” was created. (WireImage)

‘It costs a lot of money to look this cheap.’

Parton has said this line several times, describing her over-the-top and glamorous appearance. In 2017, she repeated the line to Vogue, describing her approach to make-up.

Dolly Parton often poked fun at her own appearance. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

‘I’m not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I’m not dumb — and I’m not blonde either.’

This is another popular line Parton used throughout her career. During the same Vogue interview, the “Jolene” singer repeated the line when discussing her wig collection.

Dolly Parton is not a natural blonde. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

‘People always ask me how long it takes to do my hair. I don’t know, I’m never there.’

During the same Vogue interview in 2017, Parton gave this quote, explaining that she turned to using wigs to create her signature hairstyle.

Dolly Parton famously wore wigs throughout her career. (Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage)

‘I am a self-made woman, and I have the doctor bills to prove it.’

The exact time and place Parton gave this famous line about her cosmetics procedures is not recorded, but the line has been famously quoted for years.

Dolly Parton was transparent about her plastic surgery journey. (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)

‘Find out who you are and do it on purpose.’

During Parton’s 2009 University of Tennessee commencement speech, the legend gave this quote to the graduating class.

Dolly Parton performed during a college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs on Nov. 18, 2023. (Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

‘The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.’

This is one of Parton’s most famous mantras that she repeated over the years. She also posted the quote on her X account in 2013.

‘If you see someone without a smile today, give ’em yours.’

Parton famously shared this quote over the years, spreading her positivity and encouraging others to do the same. In 2019, she shared the line on social media, alongside a throwback photo of herself, and included the hashtag “Monday Motivation.”

‘I look totally artificial, but I am totally real, as a writer, as a professional, as a human being. A rhinestone shines just as good as a diamond.’

Parton gave this quote during an interview with Elle in 2019. This line came after she recalled the moment her friend and mentor, country star Chet Atkins, advised her to “tone it down” early on in her career. She remembered Atkins telling her she wouldn’t be taken seriously in the industry if she continued wearing rhinestone outfits and getting cosmetic procedures done.

Dolly Parton posed for Playboy in 1978. (Harry Langdon/Getty Images)

‘I’m not going to limit myself just because people won’t accept the fact that I can do something else.’

In November 2010, Parton took to X to share her own philosophy about how she lived her life. The quote summed up her refusal to stay only a country singer as she built a career in film, business and philanthropy.

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‘You don’t have to look like everybody else. You don’t have to be a raving beauty to be special and to be beautiful.’

In 2018, Parton and Jennifer Aniston sat down for an interview with “Good Morning America” to promote their movie “Dumplin’.”

Jennifer Aniston and Dolly Parton are seen at the premiere of Netflix’s “Dumplin'” in 2018. (WireImage)

‘People say I look so happy — and I say, ‘That’s the Botox.’

During Parton’s Vogue feature in 2017, the country star joked about the cosmetic procedures that she’d had done, including Botox.

Dolly Parton often joked about plastic surgery and other cosmetic procedures. (Jonathan Short/Invision/AP, File)

‘I never think of myself as a star because, as somebody once said, ‘A star is nothing but a big ball of gas’ — and I don’t want to be that.’

During an interview with Billboard in 2014, Parton shared that she was “just a working girl” and used her comedic personality to put a spin on how she didn’t view herself as a huge star.

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‘I always count my blessings more than I count my money. I don’t work for money, never did.’

During a 2019 interview with “CBS Sunday Morning,” Parton explained her philosophy on retiring. She told the outlet that she didn’t work for money and would get bored if she wasn’t doing what she loved.

Dolly Parton said repeatedly throughout her career that she didn’t work for money. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

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

Parton has been widely credited for giving this piece of advice over the years.

Dolly Parton performed with the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders. (Getty Images)

‘My weaknesses have always been food and men — in that order.’

In 2013, Parton took to X and shared a funny “Dolly-ism” with her followers. “My weaknesses have always been food and men — in that order,” she wrote, adding a smiley face.

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