Dolly Parton was more than just a country music superstar. She was a songwriter for others, a philanthropist, a businesswoman, an actress and more. As a pop icon across seven decades, Parton sat down with a number of NPR hosts to tell the stories of her life and art. In this episode, NPR Music’s Ann Powers takes listeners through a number of those interviews to hear Parton tell her story, in her own words.

Want more Dolly? Head to the NPR app’s music tab for a Dolly Parton playlist from our archives. Download the app at npr.org/gettheapp. And read Ann Powers’ remembrance of Dolly Parton here.

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This episode was produced by Otis Hart, Suraya Mohamed and Noah Caldwell. It was edited by Hazel Cills. Sonali Mehta is the executive director of NPR Music.

Image courtesy of the Michael Ochs Archives.

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