Dolly Parton’s secret to staying young is incredibly simple
As Dolly Parton approaches her milestone 80th birthday on January 19, 2026, the iconic country music star remains as vibrant and ambitious as ever, declaring, “I feel like I’m just getting started.” In a recent interview with *People*, Parton reflected on her illustrious career, which boasts over 100 million album sales and a diverse portfolio that includes the Dollywood theme park, television shows, fragrances, and even frozen foods. With a new book titled *Star of the Show: My Life on Stage* recently released, and a Broadway musical about her life set to debut in 2026, Parton demonstrates that age is merely a number in her pursuit of creativity and success. Her philosophy on aging is clear: “I ain’t got time to get old!” This mindset not only fuels her work ethic but also aligns with recent research suggesting that mental stimulation and a positive outlook can significantly contribute to longevity.
Parton’s daily routine reflects her commitment to mental and spiritual well-being, which is supported by scientific findings. She starts each day with prayer and gratitude, a practice that fosters a sense of community and support, both of which have been linked to longer lifespans. A study published in *JAMA Internal Medicine* found that women who regularly attended religious services had a 33% lower risk of dying from any cause compared to those who did not. Furthermore, Parton’s dedication to staying active is evident in her work habits; she famously worked on her 78th birthday, emphasizing the importance of being intellectually engaged. Research indicates that maintaining mental activity can help build resilience against cognitive decline, particularly in aging populations.
In addition to her spiritual and mental practices, Parton’s love for cooking also plays a role in her approach to health and longevity. Known for her Southern cooking, she enjoys hearty, home-cooked meals like scrambled eggs, pinto beans, and cornbread, which dietitians recommend for their nutritional benefits. While she indulges in sweet treats like French toast on Sundays, her focus on whole foods is consistent with dietary guidelines that promote longevity, such as the Mediterranean diet. This combination of physical activity, mental engagement, and a nutritious diet underscores Parton’s philosophy of living life to the fullest, proving that a positive attitude and a busy lifestyle can indeed be the keys to a long and fulfilling life. As she gears up for her 80th birthday, Dolly Parton’s journey serves as an inspiring reminder that age should not define one’s ambitions or zest for life.
Dolly Parton will turn 80 in January.
Terry Wyatt/WireImage
Dolly Parton turns 80 in January, but said “she’s just getting started.”
The country music legend’s commitment to staying busy may have helped her live longer.
Research suggests that mental stimulation and faith might be keys to longevity.
Dolly Parton
isn’t afraid of aging.
The country music legend will turn 80 on January 19, 2026, but as long as she’s healthy enough, she plans to continue performing and expanding her empire, which to date includes 100 million albums sales, the
Dollywood resort
, TV shows, fragrances, frozen foods, baking mixes, and cookware.
“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 in an interview
published November 12. “I think there’s a lot to be said about age. If you allow yourself to get old, you will.”
As she edges closer to her eighth decade, Parton just released a new book, “Star of the Show: My Life on Stage,” which chronicles her storied career, and a stage show about her rise to fame, “Dolly: A True Original Musical” is set to hit Broadway in 2026.
“‘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,” she said.
Although luck and genetics are thought to play a large role in
how long a person lives
, Parton’s attitude toward aging would likely get a gold star from longevity doctors.
Working 9-to-5 can help prevent cognitive decline
Parton’s commitment to staying mentally active and busy echoes science-backed advice for preventing cognitive decline.
The “9-to-5” singer previously told Business Insider that she worked on her
78th birthday
. “Nothing wrong with working on your birthday if you’re getting good stuff done, right?” she said.
One 2023 study found that the 19
healthy centenarians
interviewed were intellectually active and focused on the positives in life. And while mental stimulation can’t prevent the brain from aging, evidence suggests it can help build resilience against Alzheimer’s disease symptoms such as forgetfulness.
Dolly Parton performs onstage circa 1975.
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Parton prays every morning
Parton wakes up at around 3 a.m. and gets straight out of bed. She starts each 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 told
Marie Claire
in 2020.
There is some evidence to suggest that those who are religious live longer than those who aren’t, likely because of the sense of community and social support it provides. One 2016 study published in the journal
JAMA Internal Medicine
followed around 75,000 female nurses from 1992 to 2012 and found that those who attended a religious service more than once a week had a 33% lower risk of dying from any cause than women who attended none.
Home cooking usually means eating more whole foods
The queen of country music loves cooking, and Southern classics like gravy and biscuits are among her favorites.
Parton told Business Insider in 2023 that on weekends, breakfast is usually
scrambled eggs
, and for lunch, she enjoys pinto beans and cornbread. Dietitians recommend cooking at home with whole food ingredients as much as possible. Whole foods like beans, contain more nutrients than ultra-processed foods, which contain ingredients you wouldn’t find in a regular kitchen, and have been linked to a higher risk of chronic disease.
The
Mediterranean diet
, which includes lean proteins, lots of fresh produce, wholegrains, and beans, is considered the healthiest way to eat for longevity.
But as the owner of a line of cake, brownie, and frosting mixes, Parton is also partial to a sweet treat. “On Sundays, I make French toast, and I love that with bacon,” she said. “This is not diet food now, mind you.”
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Business Insider
Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering Business news.
