Dolly Parton died earlier today at age 80.

Born in 1946 in rural Tennessee, she was one of twelve children raised in a poor but close-knit family. From an early age, music offered her a way to express herself and a glimpse of a life beyond the hills of home. After graduating from high school, she moved to Nashville to pursue songwriting and performing, determined to build a life on her own terms.

Her breakthrough came in 1970 with the release of Joshua, and she went on to become one of country music’s most successful and influential artists. Yet her career was never confined to music. She expanded into film and television, earning memorable roles in 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and Steel Magnolias.

Dolly is also celebrated for her philanthropy. Through the Dollywood Foundation, she created the Imagination Library, which provides free books to children and reflects her enduring belief in the power of education and opportunity.

Her philosophy is simple but profound: Be yourself, work hard, stay kind, laugh at yourself—and if the road isn’t working, pave a new one.

Here are my favorite quotations from Dolly Parton:

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

“If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.”

“It’s hard to be a diamond in a rhinestone world.”

“You’ll never do a whole lot unless you’re brave enough to try.”

“If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.”

“Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.”

“Storms make trees take deeper roots.”

“We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.”

“I’ll never harden my heart, but I’ve toughened the muscles around it.”

“You gotta keep trying to find your niche … or to make one of your own.”

My favorite song: