On Thursday, Dolly Parton will turn 77.

It’s hard to believe, especially after seeing Parton dancing and singing along with Miley Cyrus at her live-streamed New Year’s Eve party. Even after more than 60 years as a singer, Dolly Parton continues to enjoy great popularity.

How can Parton keep captivating audiences year after year?

According to Ted Miller, vice chair of the Dollywood Foundation, “Dolly is so popular today because she has evolved beyond a singer/songwriter.” “She has a place in history for her many talents, but her true love is for her genuine kindness and heart.”

But she also has other charming traits, one of which is her loving heart. The following are seven reasons why people appreciate Parton in honor of her 77th birthday:

1. She sings well, for one. Stage fear plagued 10-year-old Parton, but it didn’t stop her from giving her all on her debut radio performance. Since then, she has given concerts all over the world and released hundreds of songs, many of which have won awards. On the radio and on streaming devices, her voice is adored by millions of people.

2. She has a talent for songwriting. Grammy-winning songs by Parton include “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You,” “9 to 5”, and others. She has written nearly 3,000 songs in all. How is that even doable? According to Lydia Hamessley, a music professor at Hamilton College in fresh York and the author of “Unlikely Angel: The Songs of Dolly Parton,” “Dolly has new song ideas all the time, like when she’s cooking, or traveling in her bus, or even in the bathtub.” “She sings her melodies into a cassette tape recorder and keeps paper and a pen in every room to jot down new lyrics.”
3. She works diligently. Parton gets up at three every morning, and she puts in long shifts. She puts her all into every endeavor and performance, and as a result, she has enjoyed amazing success and wonderful connections.
4. She is giving. Parton established her Imagination Library, which has given more than 197 million books to kids, in memory of her father, who was illiterate. She gave $1 million to support coronavirus vaccine research. She also helps the impoverished region of Tennessee where she grew up by offering financial aid, educational opportunities, and scholarships to deserving families.
5. She is a powerful businesswoman. Along with owning the Dollywood theme park, which debuted in 1986, Parton has also partnered with Netflix, Williams-Sonoma (for guitar-shaped cookie cutters), Duncan Hines (for Southern banana cake), and other businesses.
6. She is a genuine person. Parton is at ease with who she is. She has no problem speaking the truth or donning her favorite attire, including sparkling outfits and high heels. Her fans adore her for being sincere and compassionate.
7. She is a motivational role model. Her upbringing was marred by poverty. Parton wanted to be a famous singer, but she was unable to pay for voice lessons or even a guitar. She then played her homemade guitar for her siblings (and a few pigs) on the porch using an old mandolin and rusty piano strings. I hope her perseverance encourages you to go after your goals!