How Dolly Parton became the one thing most Americans could agree on – BBC News
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Dolly Parton was a country musician, philanthropist, actress, storyteller, and businesswoman. One thing she never was, however, was a politician.
But her fans often asked her about it. During an appearance on Prime Time Country!, a young woman in the audience in 1999 asked if she’d ever run for office. Dolly responded with her signature wit: "I think of myself more as a diplomat… that’s the kind of people who tell you to go to hell in such a way you look forward to the trip."
It’s a testament to Parton’s unique place in American society that politicians from both sides, including Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, paid tribute to her following her death.
A Unifier in a Divided Nation
"She is the one person who straddles political divides… the so-called culture wars," said Sarah Phillips, an Anthropology professor at Indiana University who teaches an Anthropology of Dolly Parton course.
A recent YouGov poll revealed Parton’s net approval rating stood at 65%, contrasting starkly with figures like Barack Obama’s 14%, Taylor Swift’s 3%, Donald Trump’s -19%, and Joe Biden’s -18%.
Her Refusal to Politicize
Parton attributed her widespread appeal, in part, to her refusal to weigh into politics.
"I’ve got as many Republican fans as Democrats… I don’t want to make any of them mad at me, so I don’t play politics," she once said during an Fox News interview.
She turned down two Presidential Medal of Freedom offers from different presidents and declined a third offer from Joe Biden for similar reasons.
A Voice for Social Justice
Despite her diplomatic approach to politics, Parton was never apolitical. She openly spoke about women’s rights, LGBTQ equality, and Black Lives Matter. Her "amazing sense of self" and commitment to speaking her mind were integral to her near-universal appeal.
As Phillips put it: "She has always been a model for women, carving your own path."
