Happy Birthday, Dolly! On January 19, a star was born… Cheesy, I know, but it’s true. Today, the Queen of Country Music, Dolly Parton, turned 80, proving to fans that you are never too old to keep chasing your dreams, and she continues to embody the motto that, as long as you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life. Dolly Parton truly has had a career of a lifetime, and she has no plans of slowing down in her 80th year. With 25 #1 hits, 27 gold/platinum certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), 11 #1 albums, 10 Grammy Awards, multiple best-selling books, her own theme park at Dollywood, a lifetime of impactful work through her philanthropy and more, Dolly Parton has proved the sky is the limit with what you can dream and accomplish. View this post on Instagram While some might see turning 80 as a sign to begin slowing down and enjoying the finer things in life, Dolly Parton shared with PEOPLE ahead of her birthday that she feels quite the opposite and feels as though she’s just getting started: “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. I know that sounds stupid, but unless my health gives way, which right now I seem to be doing fine.” Parton’s health was a serious concern for fans at the end of 2025, when she canceled a few events along with her Las Vegas residency due to health issues. While Parton reassured fans that she was just fine, fans really began to express concern for the “Here You Come Again” singer after her sister issued a statement asking for prayers. The whole thing caused quite the fuss online, leading Parton to clear up the rumors for herself that she was just fine and “ain’t dead yet!” In the video, Parton shared that after her husband, Carl Dean, passed, she was not taking the best care of herself, leading her to put some of her health issues on the back burner. She is now playing catch-up on that and making sure that she’s taking care of herself so that she can keep doing what she loves. View this post on Instagram Since Parton’s health concerns were cleared up, Parton is now addressing what aging looks like for her. For most women, age can be a touchy topic. It’s hard getting older, but Parton’s secret to aging gracefully follows the same motto: “age is just a number.” “If you allow yourself to get old, you will.” The “9 To 5” singer shared with PEOPLE.  I say, ‘I ain’t got time to get old!’ I ain’t got time to dwell on that. That’s not what I’m thinking about.” Parton, unlike most, is looking forward to celebrating turning 80 years old… Well, maybe not so much the number associated with her birthday, but she’s looking forward to celebrating another year around the sun and all she’s accomplished over the last 365 days and those that came before. Dolly Parton has lived a lot of life in her 80 years on this earth, and she will continue to do great things in the years to come. But if you had to ask the country music what her favorite thing she’s accomplished thus far is, her answer is relatively simple. “I got to see my dreams come true.” We wish you the happiest of birthdays, Dolly, and we hope that you keep seeing your dreams come true. Before you go, fire up “Light Of A Clear Blue Morning.” All the revenue from the reimagination of this song will directly support pediatric cancer research at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville.  The post “If You Allow Yourself To Get Old, You Will” – Dolly Parton’s Secret To Aging Gracefully first appeared on Whiskey Riff.