The Big, the Curly and All the Blonde: Look Back at Some of Dolly Parton’s Most Over-the-Top Hair Moments Over the Years

Mar. 15, 2025

Dolly Parton hair styles.Photo:Craig Sjodin/Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty;Ron Galella Collection/Getty; GAB Archive/Redferns/Getty

Craig Sjodin/Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty;Ron Galella Collection/Getty; GAB Archive/Redferns/Getty

Dolly Partonis known for many things: She’s a longstanding country music legend, she’s the pen behind “I Will Always Love You,” she’sa dedicated philanthropistand she’s a 10-time Grammy winner. Through all her accomplishments, Parton has always been the same one-of-a-kind superstar, thanks in part toher recognizable, rhinestone-studded look.The singer has often fielded questions about her signature big hair, flashy nails and over-the-top outfits with nothing but humor, tellingEntertainment Tonightin 2023,“Once somebody asked me, ‘How many wigs do you have?’ I said, ‘Well, I must have at least 365, because I wear one almost every day.'“As we celebrate the icon’s 79th birthday on Jan. 19, 2025, look back at some of her most over-the-top hair moments over the years.

Dolly Partonis known for many things: She’s a longstanding country music legend, she’s the pen behind “I Will Always Love You,” she’sa dedicated philanthropistand she’s a 10-time Grammy winner. Through all her accomplishments, Parton has always been the same one-of-a-kind superstar, thanks in part toher recognizable, rhinestone-studded look.

The singer has often fielded questions about her signature big hair, flashy nails and over-the-top outfits with nothing but humor, tellingEntertainment Tonightin 2023,“Once somebody asked me, ‘How many wigs do you have?’ I said, ‘Well, I must have at least 365, because I wear one almost every day.'”

As we celebrate the icon’s 79th birthday on Jan. 19, 2025, look back at some of her most over-the-top hair moments over the years.

01of 12Early DaysPorter Wagoner and Dolly Parton.GAB Archive/Redferns/GettyDolly Parton came on the scene back in 1967. Above, she is pictured with former singing partner Porter Wagoner, with her winning smile and sky-high hair on full display.

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Early Days

Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton.GAB Archive/Redferns/Getty

GAB Archive/Redferns/Getty

Dolly Parton came on the scene back in 1967. Above, she is pictured with former singing partner Porter Wagoner, with her winning smile and sky-high hair on full display.

02of 12Portrait QueenDolly Parton portrait.Michael Ochs Archives/GettyWe wonder how long it took to get this beehive and sideswept bangs so perfectly coiffed.

02of 12

Portrait Queen

Dolly Parton portrait.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

We wonder how long it took to get this beehive and sideswept bangs so perfectly coiffed.

03of 12Conducting BusinessDolly Parton in 1977.Paul Natkin/GettyThe queen meant serious business — and that extended to her perfectly set curls.

03of 12

Conducting Business

Dolly Parton in 1977.Paul Natkin/Getty

Paul Natkin/Getty

The queen meant serious business — and that extended to her perfectly set curls.

04of 12Blonde AmbitionDolly Parton in 1977.Paul Natkin/GettyShe went with a high poof and loose curls for a 1977 performance.

04of 12

Blonde Ambition

She went with a high poof and loose curls for a 1977 performance.

05of 12A Girl, Her Curls and a GuitarDolly Parton in 1987.John Seakwood/Disney General Entertainment Content/GettyShe displayed some full-bodied curls while rocking light-wash denim, matching blue accessories and signature red nails.

05of 12

A Girl, Her Curls and a Guitar

Dolly Parton in 1987.John Seakwood/Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty

John Seakwood/Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty

She displayed some full-bodied curls while rocking light-wash denim, matching blue accessories and signature red nails.

06of 12Big Hair, Big HeartOprah Winfrey and Dolly Parton.Jerry Fitzgerald/Disney General Entertainment Content/GettyShe made the hair even bigger and curlier when she visited Oprah.

06of 12

Big Hair, Big Heart

Oprah Winfrey and Dolly Parton.Jerry Fitzgerald/Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty

Jerry Fitzgerald/Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty

She made the hair even bigger and curlier when she visited Oprah.

07of 12Hanging with FriendsJon Lovitz, Dolly Parton.Craig Sjodin/Disney General Entertainment Content/GettyAnd swooped it to the side for this picture with Jon Lovitz.

07of 12

Hanging with Friends

Jon Lovitz, Dolly Parton.Craig Sjodin/Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty

Craig Sjodin/Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty

And swooped it to the side for this picture with Jon Lovitz.

08of 12Divas UniteDolly Parton with Miss Piggy.Disney General Entertainment Content/GettyEven Miss Piggy had to bow to the queen when she pulled up with this perfectly laid ‘do.

08of 12

Divas Unite

Dolly Parton with Miss Piggy.Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty

Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty

Even Miss Piggy had to bow to the queen when she pulled up with this perfectly laid ‘do.

09of 12Meeting of the MindsCyndi Lauper and Dolly Parton circa 1981.Bettina Cirone/Images/GettyParton rocked a half-up, half-down curly and straight combo while hanging with Cyndi Lauper in 1981.

09of 12

Meeting of the Minds

Cyndi Lauper and Dolly Parton circa 1981.Bettina Cirone/Images/Getty

Bettina Cirone/Images/Getty

Parton rocked a half-up, half-down curly and straight combo while hanging with Cyndi Lauper in 1981.

10of 12Flower PowerDolly Parton at the AMAs in 1978.Ron Galella Collection/GettyIt may seem the “Jolene” singer toned it down a peg for the 1978 American Music Awards …

10of 12

Flower Power

Dolly Parton at the AMAs in 1978.Ron Galella Collection/Getty

Ron Galella Collection/Getty

It may seem the “Jolene” singer toned it down a peg for the 1978 American Music Awards …

11of 12Showing OffDolly Parton at the AMAs in 1978.Ron Galella Collection/Getty… but Dolly Parton and “toning down” just don’t go together.

11of 12

Showing Off

… but Dolly Parton and “toning down” just don’t go together.

12of 12Late Night GuestDolly Parton with host Jay Leno.Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/GettyShe incorporated some hair ties to create this unique look she wore to theTonight Show with Jay Leno.

12of 12

Late Night Guest

Dolly Parton with host Jay Leno.Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty

Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty

She incorporated some hair ties to create this unique look she wore to theTonight Show with Jay Leno.

source: people.com