Dolly Parton, 78, Dons Tight Pink Outfit as She Transforms into a ‘Cake Sales Woman,’ Igniting Talks

Country superstar Dolly Parton is not just hitting high notes in music—she’s also showcasing her business savvy in the kitchen. However, her latest video has sparked mixed reactions from fans, leaving some questioning if this new role suits her.

Dolly Parton dazzled the internet with her vibrant charm and colorful presence, embracing her new role as a cake seller. Recently, she enraptured her fans in a radiant pink ensemble through a captivating Instagram video.

Along with her outfit, the 78-year-old icon complemented her style with matching earrings. Her cheerful demeanor shone just as brightly as her attire, and her engaging presentation was endearing. She remarked, “It’s good through and through,” followed by a light-hearted laugh.

Dolly’s video gained mixed reactions from netizens.“Have I been living under a rock? When did Dolly Parton start becoming a cake sales woman?” A user questioned. Another skeptically asked, “The world loves you, but why are you hawking cheap boxed cake mix?”

Despite the critiques, many fans expressed their admiration.“You look so amazing,” praised one, while another commented on her delivery, “The way she is talking (not the accent) the struggle sounds like either too much filler in the lips or teeth that belong to someone else. Still love her thou.”

The video is part of Dolly’s expansion into the culinary market, featuring new additions like Cinnamon Crumb Cake, Blueberry Muffin, and Banana Nut Muffin Mixes. “They’re like having kids. They’re all my favorites,” she quipped, enriching her beloved line of baking mixes.

Despite her venture into baking, Dolly admits cooking is more her forte. Raised in a large family where she often cooked, she finds baking a challenging yet enjoyable endeavor.

Dolly’s entrepreneurial skills highlight her versatility and sharp business acumen, ranking her among the richest U.S. female celebrities like Taylor Swift, Rihanna, and Oprah Winfrey. As of June 2023, Forbes reports her net worth at $440 million.

Far from slowing down, the country star has recently launched two TV specials, published a novel with James Patterson, released children’s books, and introduced new lines of pet products. Her wealth primarily stems from her Tennessee theme park, Dollywood.

In a July 2023 interview, Dolly shared her relentless work ethic and approach to business. “I’m not one to sit around doing nothing. I would never retire,” she stated. Dolly is brimming with dreams—more TV hosting, acting, and a brand with makeup, wigs, and clothes.

She also has plans to launch her own TV network and produce “The Life of Many Colors,” offering insights into her life. Despite the multitude of offers, she’s selective but open to new opportunities.

Even as she stands at the pinnacle of her success, Dolly Parton takes pride in her humble beginnings. Before achieving fame and luxury, she was simply a young girl raised in a modest one-bedroom log cabin in Sevierville, Tennessee.

Dolly’s parents, Avie Lee Owens and Robert Lee Parton were only teenagers when they got married. By the time they were 35 and 37, they had 12 kids, six girls and six boys. As much as the family didn’t have much, they had each other.

Dolly referred to her family as mountain people who grew up in the church. The kids grew up knowing Jesus loved them and understanding that through God, all things were possible, a belief that gave Dolly strength throughout her life.

Dolly was born in the Smoky Mountains, a place that she holds close to her heart. She recalled how they had no hospitals nearby. So, when her mother was having trouble giving birth, her dad rushed to call a missionary doctor who took care of the poor mountain people.

The doctor assisted in delivering Dolly, and her father compensated him with a sack of cornmeal since they lacked the means to pay in money. “I’ve always joked and said that I’ve been raking in the dough ever since,” joked Dolly.

The singer’s desire for a better life started at their family home. The two-roomed house had no electricity or running water. At night, the family would catch fireflies and keep them in a jar to light up the house.

A look into the house, which still stands today, shows that it wasn’t a mansion but it was a home to the singer and her family. Dolly’s family cabin had a kitchen with a stove, a small pantry, and a table with six seats.

A washing basin was placed between the kitchen and bedroom, which were separated by only a two-thirds wall. The family had no television, and Dolly confessed that she had been featured on local television before her family ever owned one.

To preserve memories of her childhood and share aspects of it with her fans, Dolly has created a replica of her family home in Dollywood. The house stands close to the entrance to Dollywood and has a sign written “Tennessee Mountain Home.”

The sign also reads, “These mountains and my childhood home have a special place in my heart. They inspire my music and life. I hope being here does the same for you.” This message is signed, “Dolly.”

The replica, designed by Dolly’s mother and built by her brother Bobby, has original family treasures throughout. When one steps inside, they see the first part of the house, the kitchen, whose wall is covered with old newspapers and a floral wallpaper.

The kitchen table is set with plates and aluminum coffee cups. A wood stove sits in the corner, with pans and bowls hanging on the wall. Tables are draped with decorative cloths, and wooden shelves hold cups, jars, tins, and plates. A basket of firewood rests on the floor.

The kitchen also has a washing space at the door of the bedroom. Hanging on the thin wall that separates the kitchen and bedroom is a 1946 calendar, showing her birth month, January, and her birthday, the 19th, circled.

When one enters the bedroom, one can see a bed pushed against the wall. Above it, a tableau of framed portraits showcasing Dolly’s beloved parents.

There’s a wooden chair next to the bed and sewing machine, and another chair in the furthest corner of the bedroom. The bedroom also hosts a simple cabinet with shelves that has a book and other items. The bedroom leads to a long and narrow porch through its back door.

Dolly mentioned standing on the porch of the Locust Ridge house in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. There, she would insert a tobacco stick into the cracks of the porch and position a tin can on the stick as a makeshift microphone.

The singer proceeded to sing for the pigs, dogs, chickens, and kids as she pictured a bigger world. “I Imagined it, I dreamed it, I worked for it, and God was good enough to let me have it,” she proclaimed.

Dolly’s parents gave her and her siblings a good life, even though they were poor. The singer playfully remarked that her family didn’t realize they were poor until someone pointed it out to them.

The “Jolene” songstress recalled, “We didn’t have any money, but we were rich in things that money don’t buy. You know, like love and kindness and understanding[sic].” Despite this, she aspired for more. Upon announcing her move to Nashville after high school, laughter from many left her embarrassed.

However, Dolly knew what she wanted. “I just knew that I wanted to be out in a bigger world. I knew there was more than just the Smokies. I love my people, I love my home, but I just wanted to do more,” she narrated. Her mom recognized her determination and foresaw her immense success without surprise.

When asked what paved the way for her, Dolly revealed that her mother’s side was very musical. As much as they focused on the gospel, they could play instruments. Her uncle Billy Owens taught her all the chords of the guitar as he saw how serious Dolly was with her singing.

From these poor and humble beginnings, Dolly has grown to become one of the most famous country music singers. In addition to a prolific music career, the 78-year-old has a successful marriage to Carl Thomas Dean, and they have been together for close to six decades. The two met at a laundromat in the ’60s.

Despite their different personalities, the couple works harmoniously together. Carl is a loner who doesn’t like socializing. He prefers staying at home and taking care of their farm. And while he loves music, he isn’t into the music world.

The singer said these differences give them things to talk about. “We have a lot of love and respect for each other,” shared Dolly. The pair also have lots of fun and have a mutual crazy and distorted sense of humor.

Carl and Dolly enjoy a simple life, traveling around Tennessee and learning a little history in all the exceptionally beautiful places they visit. Dolly, who loves cooking, occasionally packs a picnic for their excursions. The singer has come a long way, from her childhood to her great career and to living a cozy life with her husband.