Dolly Parton: The Underrated Genius Whose Strengths Defined Her Success

In a candid 2015 interview, Dolly Parton, known for her unwavering positivity, opened up about a period of personal struggle with depression. She shared with me at her beloved Dollywood Theme Park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, that she had been grappling with personal issues and a sense of guilt over her success.

Parton, a pioneering singer-songwriter, also reflected on the pivotal decisions that shaped her career. Discussing the 1980s, a time marked by reported endometriosis diagnosis and a partial hysterectomy, she spoke of the health and professional challenges she faced. "I was having some personal problems and just beginning to kind of feel a little guilty about my success," she admitted. "I thought OK – enough is enough. Get off your fat ass and do something about it, cos nobody's happy all the time. I always make a joke now: people say 'Oh you're always seem to be so happy all the time,' I say, 'No I'm not happy all the time, that's Botox!'"

Parton Knew When to Bet on Herself

Emerging from humble beginnings, Parton cultivated a global iconic status through sheer dedication and hard work. In a previous CNBC interview, she recounted the ridicule she faced in high school when she declared her intention to move to Nashville and become a star. "That hurt my feelings," she said, adding with a smile, "They're not laughing now."

Dolly's musical journey began at age ten with local television and radio appearances, followed by a debut on the Grand Ole Opry at thirteen. Her pursuit of stardom led her to join country music star Porter Wagoner on his popular television show in 1967, which brought her national acclaim.

Despite their shared success, Dolly described her time with Porter as a "love-hate relationship." Seven years later, she recognized the need to forge her own path and career. This difficult parting inspired her to write one of her most enduring hits. "I wrote the song 'I Will Always Love You' about that — when I was trying to leave and he was pitching such a fit, and I thought well, you know, do what you do best, go write a song," she explained. The song became a significant hit for Parton and later a global sensation when Whitney Houston recorded it for the 1992 film "The Bodyguard." However, by then, Dolly had already secured the rights to her most valuable business asset: her publishing rights.

Why Parton Refused Elvis Presley

In 1974, Elvis Presley expressed interest in recording "I Will Always Love You." However, shortly before the scheduled session, Parton's account states that Presley's manager, Colonel Tom Parker, insisted on receiving half of the publishing rights for Presley to record the song. Dolly refused. "I said, 'Well, I am really sorry to hear that cos I already told everybody Elvis was doing my song,' but I thought you know, I can't do it. And I didn't. So, I thought well, it was just one of those first really hard business decisions I had to make," she recalled.

Dolly attributed her business acumen to her father, a farmer and tradesman, which also equipped her to confront the sexism she encountered early in her career. "I think there's always the 'good ole boy' syndrome when it's a girl in business. A lot of people, especially with me, cos I look like trash and I did even then, I just look like I would be easy prey. But I got my business sense from my dad," she stated.

Years later, Parton faced skepticism from her advisors when she decided to venture into the theme park industry. "She told them, 'I know you're my Hollywood lawyers and accountants and all that, but I think I know a little bit more about me than you do. And so, I went ahead and done it. Got rid of them. And it proved that I was right to go ahead with my plans.'"

The Gamble That Became Dollywood

Dollywood opened its doors in 1986. Forty years later, it stands as Tennessee's premier ticketed attraction, contributing an estimated $1.8 billion annually to the regional economy.

"I was born in a one-room cabin, we didn't have anything fancy in it except our dreams and our plans and the love of a good mama and a good daddy," she reminisced. "I thought if I DO make it, I want to come back home, do something special in this area for the people. we've really provided thousands and thousands of jobs through the years and that makes me feel proud and I think Little Dolly would be proud of that - and my Mom and Dad too."

As a visitor experiencing the magic of the Dolly effect, I witnessed the throngs of devoted fans eagerly anticipating her annual parade through Dollywood in an open-top carriage before my interview. Surprisingly, the one person who consistently avoided public appearances with Dolly was her husband of 59 years, Carl Dean. "He's kind of a homebody, he didn't want to go out there doing all that. No, even when he does come out, he's not going to be seen. As a matter of fact, here at Dollywood, he won't come here with me, not the times I come. He'll come up and he'll come to the park and most times nobody even knows he's been here."

The Legacy Parton Wanted to Leave

Dolly Parton was also a fervent advocate for giving back. Her father, who was unable to read or write due to his circumstances, inspired her philanthropic initiative, The Imagination Library, which provides free books to children globally. "He was always so smart, and it always bothered me. It bothered him, but I can't even begin to imagine, as smart as my Daddy was, what all he could have been if he hadn't have been crippled with that," she shared.

The program, initially launched in her home county, has expanded internationally, fostering a love for reading among young children and encouraging families to read together. Dolly described it as "one of the things that I'm proudest of in my whole career."

When asked about the legacy she hoped to leave behind, Dolly stated, "I want people to remember everything that I've done that was of any importance… I want them to think that I was a person that really wanted to give… that I was a caring person and that I was someone that wanted to make life a better place for everybody."