7 Shocking Facts About Dolly Parton’s Age And Her Wild Plans For Turning 80
Dolly Parton is a force of nature, and the question of "how old is Dolly" is less about a number and more about how one person can pack seven decades of career, philanthropy, and entrepreneurship into a single lifetime. As of December 23, 2025, the undisputed Queen of Country Music is 79 years old, but the calendar is about to flip a significant page.
The iconic singer-songwriter is not just celebrating another birthday; she is gearing up for a major milestone: turning 80 in January 2026. Far from slowing down, the "9 to 5" star has an aggressive schedule of new projects, including a major Las Vegas residency, a new memoir, and an expanded tour, proving her famous mantra that she "ain't got time to get old."
Dolly Parton's Complete Biography and Profile
Dolly Rebecca Parton is one of the most celebrated and successful figures in American entertainment. Her life story is a classic rags-to-riches tale, starting from a one-room cabin in the Smoky Mountains to global superstardom.
- Full Name: Dolly Rebecca Parton
- Date of Birth: January 19, 1946
- Current Age (as of Dec 23, 2025): 79
- Birthplace: Locust Ridge, Tennessee, U.S.
- Spouse: Carl Dean (married 1966)
- Occupations: Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Actress, Author, Philanthropist, Businesswoman
- Key Career Milestones:
- Began career as a child performer in East Tennessee.
- Rose to fame in the late 1960s as part of Porter Wagoner's weekly TV show.
- Wrote and recorded iconic songs like "Jolene," "I Will Always Love You," and "Coat of Many Colors."
- Founded Dollywood theme park in 1986.
- Established the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in 1995, which has given away over 200 million books.
- Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999.
- Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022 (at age 76).
Dolly Parton at 79: The Blockbuster Projects of Late 2025
As Dolly Parton closes out her 79th year, her work ethic remains unmatched. Her schedule for the final months of 2025 and early 2026 is packed with high-profile engagements and new releases, cementing her status as a pop culture and business powerhouse.
The Las Vegas Residency: 'Dolly: Live in Las Vegas'
In a major announcement that thrilled fans, Dolly Parton confirmed a limited engagement residency titled *Dolly: Live in Las Vegas*.
This exclusive run of six performances is scheduled to take place at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in December 2025.
The timing is strategic, coinciding with the National Finals Rodeo, ensuring a massive audience of country music fans.
This residency is a testament to her enduring appeal and her commitment to live performance, even as she approaches her 80th birthday.
A New Memoir: 'Star of the Show'
Adding to her extensive bibliography, Dolly Parton is releasing a new memoir, *Star of the Show: My Life on Stage*, in November 2025.
The book promises to offer an intimate look at her extraordinary seven-decade journey in music, providing fans with a behind-the-scenes perspective on her career sacrifices and triumphs.
The release of a major book just weeks before her milestone birthday highlights her continuous effort to share her legacy and connect with her audience.
The Road to 80: Dolly Parton’s Plans for 2026 and Beyond
Dolly Parton famously says she has no plans to retire, and her 2026 calendar proves it. She is not simply reflecting on her past; she is actively building her future, with new attractions and a major symphonic tour.
The 'Threads: My Songs in Symphony' Tour
In 2026, the country icon is expanding her ambitious multimedia symphonic project, *Threads: My Songs in Symphony*.
This unique concert experience, which blends her classic songs with a full orchestral arrangement, will be touring 12 U.S. cities, bringing a new dimension to her timeless music.
The tour demonstrates her willingness to innovate and present her work in fresh, unexpected ways, even as she enters a new decade of life.
New Attractions at Dollywood
The business side of her empire, Dollywood, is also seeing major expansion. Dolly Parton announced that a new attraction is slated to open at the theme park in 2026.
This continuous investment in her Tennessee-based theme park reinforces her role as a major entrepreneur and philanthropist, committed to boosting the economy and providing entertainment in her home region.
Dolly Parton’s Philosophy on Age and Legacy
The most fascinating aspect of Dolly Parton's age is her attitude toward it. She has consistently and emphatically denied any plans for retirement, often stating that "I ain't got time to get old."
Her focus is not on the number 80, but on the work she still wants to do. She has often spoken about her health and the importance of staying active, even after a recent health setback that caused her to postpone some Las Vegas dates.
Dolly Parton views her legacy not just through her countless awards—including nominations from all four major American entertainment award organizations (EGOT-adjacent)—but through her philanthropic work, particularly the Imagination Library.
Her ability to maintain this level of activity and relevance at age 79, with her 80th birthday approaching, is a powerful statement. She continues to inspire millions by proving that age is merely a number when compared to the size of one's dreams and the dedication to one's craft.
Detail Author:
- Name : Lucile Hayes
- Username : janelle80
- Email : mcormier@macejkovic.com
- Birthdate : 2002-09-10
- Address : 6810 Hegmann Drives Marvinburgh, VT 05420
- Phone : (315) 284-5109
- Company : Leannon, Cole and Armstrong
- Job : Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
- Bio : Qui est necessitatibus ut qui quo. Delectus aut impedit debitis ut. Accusantium est laborum non ipsum dolor omnis iure et. Fugit quos distinctio quis quas.
Socials
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/beaulahblock
- username : beaulahblock
- bio : Consectetur eum sint iusto possimus.
- followers : 5921
- following : 1595
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/beaulahblock
- username : beaulahblock
- bio : Debitis a ipsum aut provident beatae voluptas. Beatae eum molestias esse nihil eligendi laboriosam. Molestiae deleniti alias qui ipsam eos.
- followers : 6231
- following : 86
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/beaulahblock
- username : beaulahblock
- bio : Error expedita libero est quos nostrum omnis quo.
- followers : 6174
- following : 2279
