With a career spanning 60 years and still going strong, over 100 millions albums sold worldwide, and even her own theme park, Dolly Parton is in a class of her own. Sporting her big hair and shiny costumes, Parton is one of music’s most recognizable figures, and her iconic songs have become standards that will be played for generations.

She is the consummate entertainer, but her life story is also an inspiring one. Going from her humble origins to superstardom, from struggling to giving back with her philanthropy, let’s take a look at the life of the singer, songwriter, actor, entrepreneur, and humanitarian whose heart is as big as her massive success.

4The Home Hospital 

Her poor upbringing meant that her and her family could not receive the best healthcare, or sometimes any at all, and doctor visits were often out of the question. Even for serious emergencies, the Partons would sometimes deal with things on their own. 

Parton told Dr. Oz a story of an accident that she should have gone to the hospital for, but didn’t. “I had jumped across the fence onto a broken mason jar and cut three of my toes, just my little toes on my right foot, almost off, and they were just kind of hanging there,” she said. “They put kerosene on it for antiseptic, and momma took her sewing needles…and she literally had to sew my toes back on.” It turns out Dolly’s mom was a handy medic, as Dolly never seemed to have any trouble walking in her extravagant heels, but it’s hard to fathom what would have happened if the procedure did not go perfectly..