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- Dolly Parton’s secret to staying young is incredibly simple (businessinsider.com)
Dolly Parton: Still Working 9 to 5 and “Just Getting Started” at 80
NASHVILLE, TN – Country music icon Dolly Parton is set to celebrate her 80th birthday in January 2026, but don’t expect her to slow down. The legendary singer, known for her boundless energy and entrepreneurial spirit, insists she’s “just getting started” and shows no signs of retirement. Her vibrant approach to life and work may offer valuable lessons in longevity, aligning with insights from health experts.
Parton, whose empire includes over 100 million album sales, the Dollywood resort, and a growing line of consumer products from fragrances to baking mixes, expressed her philosophy on aging in a recent interview. “People say, ‘Well, you’re going to be 80 years old.’
Well, so what? Look at all I’ve done in 80 years.
I feel like I’m just getting started,” she told People magazine. “If you allow yourself to get old, you will.”
This commitment to staying active is evident in her recent projects, including her new book, “Star of the Show: My Life on Stage,” and a Broadway-bound musical, “Dolly: A True Original Musical,” slated for 2026. “I ain’t got time to get old! I ain’t got time to dwell on that,” Parton quipped.
The Science of Staying Sharp: Why Working Keeps You Young
Parton’s dedication to mental stimulation aligns with scientific advice for combating cognitive decline. The “9 to 5” singer famously told Business Insider that she worked on her 78th birthday, stating, “Nothing wrong with working on your birthday if you’re getting good stuff done, right?”
Research supports the idea that staying intellectually engaged can build resilience against age-related cognitive issues. A 2023 study highlighted that healthy centenarians often share a trait of intellectual activity and a positive outlook on life, suggesting that continuous mental stimulation contributes to long-term brain health.
Faith and Community: A Morning Ritual for Longevity
Parton’s daily routine also includes a spiritual component. She wakes around 3 a.m. and begins her day with prayer.
“I’m a very spiritual person. Every single day, before I do anything, I wake up and I thank God for the night and ask him to bless the day,” she shared with Marie Claire in 2020.
Studies indicate a correlation between religious practice and increased longevity, possibly due to the community and social support networks often provided by faith-based organizations. A 2016 study in JAMA Internal Medicine found that women who attended religious services more than once a week had a 33% lower risk of dying from any cause compared to those who did not attend.
Home Cooking: A Recipe for Health (with a Side of Indulgence)
When it comes to diet, Parton embraces home cooking, favoring Southern classics like gravy and biscuits, along with pinto beans and cornbread for lunch. Dietitians frequently recommend preparing meals at home with whole food ingredients, as they typically offer more nutrients than ultra-processed alternatives, which have been linked to an increased risk of chronic diseases. The Mediterranean diet, rich in lean proteins, fresh produce, whole grains, and beans, is widely recognized for its longevity benefits.
However, the “Queen of Country” also admits to a love for sweet treats. “On Sundays, I make French toast, and I love that with bacon,” she confessed, adding, “This is not diet food now, mind you.” As the owner of her own line of baking mixes, it’s clear Parton believes in a balanced approach that includes a little indulgence.
Dolly Parton’s vibrant life, marked by relentless creativity, a positive attitude, spiritual grounding, and a love for home-cooked meals, provides a compelling blueprint for a life well-lived, proving that age truly is just a number.
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- Dolly Parton’s secret to staying young is incredibly simple (businessinsider.com)