Dolly Parton Once Shared How She Hoped To “Go Out”
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Dolly Parton and Betty White were two of the most legendary female talents in entertainment history. Despite having a lot in common, Dolly differed from Betty in a big way.
Following Betty White’s death, Dolly Parton opened up about how she wanted to “go out.”
Betty White died on December 31, 2021, at the age of 99. She was just three weeks shy of her 100th birthday. In an interview following Betty’s passing, Dolly was asked about Betty and the question brought an answer the interviewer didn’t expect.
When asked if she had ever met Betty White and if they were friends, Dolly replied that their paths had crossed a time or two and that she was a huge fan of the actress.
“I knew of her work, and I just loved her. I just thought she was great,” Dolly said before sharing that she hoped to age as well as the Golden Girls star, but didn’t want to live as long as she did.
“I hope to be like that…if I live that long, I hope to be able to be active and productive,” Dolly said. “I hope I don’t live that long, to be honest. I just hope I go out at my peak, whenever that peak might be, and just fall out like that,” the singer said as she snapped her fingers.
After Betty White’s death, Dolly shared a message on social media, saying: “While watching the news last night, I learned of Betty White’s passing. Betty will live forever not only in this world but the world hereafter. I will always love her as we all will!”
While watching the news last night I learned of Betty White’s passing. Betty will live forever not only in this world but the world here after. I will always love her as we all will!
— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) January 1, 2022
Dolly’s affection for Betty White was reciprocated.
In a 2010 interview with The Boot, Betty said that she was a fan of country music and that Dolly’s infamous tune “9 to 5” was among her favorites.
“Country music tells stories, and it’s also basic. It’s the kind of music that reaches right inside of you because it’s simple and it’s direct. I just enjoy it thoroughly. It’s relaxing and nostalgic. It can turn on some lovely memories and sometimes some poignant ones.
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“I like Dolly’s whole approach to life with ongoing and uplifting songs,” she said. “I never met Dolly, but everything I ever heard about her, she was a great gal to know, and you could kind of get it in her music and her voice and her approach to lyrics.”
Dolly’s wish to “go out” at her peak was granted.
On Tuesday, August 25, Dolly Parton passed away surrounded by loved ones after a brief battle with cancer. She was 80.
While the world wasn’t ready to let her go, and Dolly had so much more to give, her legacy will continue for decades to come. Hear her talk about wanting to “go out” at her peak and not wanting to live to be as old as Betty White in the clip below.
