Dolly Parton had hidden tattoos over ‘important a part of her physique’
Country music trailblazer Dolly Parton inspired generations with her record-breaking career while choosing pastel body art to cover a key part of her body
Interest in Dolly Parton’s extensive body art has renewed following her death(Image: Getty Images)
Following the death of country legend Dolly Parton at the age of 80 at the end of August, interest has renewed regarding long-standing rumours about her extensive body art. The superstar established her legendary status in country music immediately after releasing her 1950 debut single, “Puppy Love.”
Across her storied career, she earned 11 Grammy Awards from a total of 50 nominations, alongside 10 Country Music Association Awards, notably taking home the coveted Entertainer of the Year trophy.
She remains one of only seven female artists to ever win the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year award. In addition to her phenomenal musical achievements, Dolly’s unique image fascinated devoted fans for decades.
Parton’s habit of wearing long sleeves fuelled theories that she was concealing ink underneath(Image: Getty Images)
Her habit of wearing long sleeves regularly fuelled theories that she was concealing ink underneath. During an appearance on The Jay Leno Show in 1996, the artist confirmed the persistent rumours.
Host Jay Leno spotted body art on her arms while she was wearing a dress featuring shoulder cut-outs, prompting her to openly admit to having a “little butterfly and a little angel, [her] guardian angel,” according to the Mirror US.
In a 2021 conversation with W Magazine, the star revealed the practical motivation behind her body art.
Dolly confirmed the rumours about her tattoos while appearing on The Jay Leno Show(Image: Michael Putland, Getty Images)
She said: “Most of my tattoos came because I’m very fair and I have a tendency to scar when I get any kind of cut. I’ve had surgeries for different things, and if the scars didn’t heal properly, I just gotta put tattoos to take the sting out.”
Dolly also revealed that the bulk of her tattoos incorporate softer tones, and she has quite a collection of them. She added: “I don’t have the real heavy, dark tattoos. Mine are all pastel. And I have more than one.”
Back in 2013, actress Jennifer Saunders recounted a memorable moment when she watched Dolly lift her shirt, unveiling her chest adorned with “the most beautiful angels and beautiful butterflies and baskets of flowers in pastel-coloured tattoos.”
Dolly admitted to having a tattoo of ‘a little butterfly and a little angel’(Image: Richard E. Aaron, Redferns via Getty Images)
Dolly’s nephew Bryan Seaver shared a glowing tribute to her after news of her death on August 25 was confirmed following a short battle with cancer.
He said: “Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents, and countless others who have watched her and longed for her to meet them in the heavens.
“I first went on the road with Dolly as a kid, getting the taste of the road life in the early 1980s. Dolly opened doors, not just for me, but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn’t even know was possible.
“Dolly also opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians, and dreamers from every walk of life, and across every continent.
“By her example, we believed that anything was possible. She never saw a door she couldn’t open, and the doors she opened made and changed history.”
He added: “My family and I have shared a lifetime of beautiful memories with Dolly. But so have you. She has always been on your television, your record player, your CD, and on your phone playlist, becoming an extended part of your family whether you liked it or not.”
