Dolly Parton Shares the Timeless Advice from Her Mother That Still Guides Her Life

Country music icon Dolly Parton shares the timeless wisdom that shaped her journey to stardom.

At 79 years old, Dolly Parton remains one of the most beloved and enduring figures in country music. Known not just for her legendary voice but also her authenticity, humor, and fierce individuality, Parton says much of her success is rooted in the values she learned growing up in rural Tennessee.

In a recent interview with TODAY, the Country Music Hall of Famer opened up about the single most important piece of advice she’s ever received — and how it continues to guide her today.

“To thine own self be true,” her mother, Avie Lee Parton, once told her.

It’s a phrase originally penned by Shakespeare in Hamlet, but it found renewed meaning in Dolly’s life.

“There’s a whole lot of meaning in that phrase,” Dolly said. “I’ve always tried to stay true to me. And always, when people ask me for advice, that’s kind of what I tell them.”

Dolly Parton’s Life Motto: Be Authentically You

Raised in a large, close-knit family with 11 siblings, Dolly often speaks of how her upbringing and her mother’s guidance gave her the courage to follow her dreams — no matter how unconventional they seemed.

Over the years, she’s embraced her individuality with bold style, glamor, and unapologetic southern charm. Even as critics questioned her image, Dolly stayed true to the woman she knew she was.

“I’ve had people through the years say, ‘We need to tone it down. Nobody will take you seriously looking like that,’” she recalled. “I said, ‘Well, I was influenced by the trash in my hometown. I’m not trash, but I like that trashy look.’”

“I just like that Frederick’s of Hollywood, glamour girl kind of look. And that never went away. So I never thought I had to change it just because somebody else said I should.”

Her Advice to Others: Discover Who You Are and Own It

In addition to quoting her mother’s wisdom, Dolly has developed her own spin on the message:

“Find out who you are and do it on purpose. And do it with purpose.”

According to Dolly, the key to true fulfillment — both personally and professionally — is to live authentically. “So many people try to emulate or copy someone else,” she explained. “You really need to do things your way, according to your rules, your personality, your mindset, your faith.”

She encourages others to reflect on their core values, embrace what makes them unique, and follow their own path without fear of judgment.