The enormous blonde hair, rhinestones, high heels, outrageous jokes and unmistakable Tennessee personality weren’t just part of her image. That was Dolly.

Growing up poor in East Tennessee, Dolly became fascinated by glamorous women with big hair, makeup and colorful clothes. Years later, she turned that inspiration into one of the most recognizable looks in entertainment.

Some people in Nashville warned that her appearance might prevent audiences from taking her seriously.

Dolly refused to change.

Instead, she wrote classics including “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You,” became a movie star and built a business empire.

And she was always in on the joke.

Dolly regularly made fun of her own hair, clothes and glamorous appearance before anyone else could. Behind those jokes, however, was an incredibly sharp songwriter and businesswoman.

She famously described herself as a “workhorse that looks like a show horse.”

Perhaps that’s what made Dolly unforgettable.

She took her work seriously — but rarely herself.

For decades, America never quite knew what Dolly might say next.

And that’s exactly why people loved her.