Dolly Parton has declined the chance to have a statue of herself outside the Tennessee Capitol

Virgin Radio

19 Feb 2021, 16:46

Dolly Parton is an icon. You'd be hard pushed to find someone who isn't a fan (Virgin Radio's Amy Voce adores her.)

The musician, country icon and philanthropist is also hugely modest. She has "humbly" turned down the suggestion that a statue of her should be erected outside the Tenessee Capitol building.

 “I want to thank the Tenessee legislature for their consideration of a bill to erect a statue of me on the Capitol grounds" she wrote on Twitter.

"I am honoured and humbled by their intention but I have asked the leaders of the state legislature to remove the bill from any and all consideration,” she added.

“Given all that is going on in the world, I don’t think putting me on a pedestal is appropriate at this time. I hope, though, that somewhere down the road several years from now or perhaps after I’m gone if you still feel I deserve it, then I’m certain I will stand proud in our great State Capitol as a grateful Tennessean.”

Dolly then pledges to “continue to try to do good work to make this great state proud”.

The iconic Dollywood theme park is located in the state, and it's one of its biggest tourist attractions.

Earlier this year, Democratic Representative John Mark Windle introduced a bill asking for a statue recognising Parton to be considered.

He recommended it “for all that she has contributed to this state”.

The statue wouldn’t have been funded through tax dollars, but through private gifts, grants, and donations.