At 79, Dolly Parton has once again captured public attention—not with actual bikini photos, but with bold, headline-making outfits that sparked confusion and conversation, especially her 2023 Dallas Cowboys cheerleader performance look, which some tabloids misrepresented as “bikini shots.”

Born in 1946 in rural Tennessee, Dolly’s journey from a one-room cabin to global icon is legendary, marked by hits like Jolene and I Will Always Love You, a $650 million empire including Dollywood, and the donation of over 250 million books through her Imagination Library. Known for her sparkle and unapologetic style, Dolly has long worn rhinestone-studded outfits and curve-hugging dresses that challenge conventional age expectations, and 2025 is no exception. Despite facing criticism for being “too revealing” at her age, fans and celebrities alike have praised her confidence, with Christy Brinkley even calling for a Sports Illustrated swimsuit feature.