Dolly Parton, the American singer-songwriter, has died at the age of 80, prompting tributes that highlight not only her music but also her sharp wit and gift for memorable one-liners. Throughout her career, she offered candid, humorous and often profound observations on fame, resilience, songwriting, love and her own carefully crafted image, endearing her to fans well beyond the world of country music.

Her quotes ranged from motivational, such as "if you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one," to self-deprecating remarks about her appearance, including the famous line "it costs a lot of money to look this cheap." She also spoke candidly about valuing artistic fulfilment over wealth, describing songwriting as her "therapy," and reflected on authenticity, saying she was "totally artificial" in look but "totally real" as a person. Tributes have poured in from figures including Taylor Swift following news of her death.