Dolly Parton says she 'never' wants to retire and reveals there are only 3 reasons why she would ever

Dolly Parton is here to stay. The 77-year-old country music icon isn't keen on the idea of retirement any time soon. She's had a trailblazing 50-plus-year career as a working musician and is renowned for her philanthropic efforts and business initiatives. In a recent interview with Greatest Hits Radio’s Ken Bruce, she said if one wants their dreams to come true then they have to be “responsible” with them. “I’m not one to sit around doing nothing. I would never retire. I’ll just hopefully drop dead in the middle of a song onstage someday, hopefully, one I’ve written. That’s how I hope to go. Of course, we don’t have much of a choice in that,” the Jolene hitmaker shared.

Parton, who is set to release her 49th solo studio album Rockstar in November, isn't looking to slow down but she has considered three reasons that may consider her to do so. “As long as I’m able to work, as long as my health is good, and my husband is good," she said. "I mean, the only way that I would ever slow down or stop would be for that reason.” She added, “But in the meantime, I’m gonna make hay while the sun shines.”

For a woman who seems to have done it all, what's left? The musician/ actress/entrepreneur/philanthropist said that she has a host of “new dreams every day,” sharing some of them with the host. “I want to have my own network TV show where I can actually do a lot of new things and produce,” she said. “I want to have my own story called The Life of Many Colors, where I have a whole series of my life, stuff that people haven’t seen, or know, or heard about — and my people and where I come from, how I got to be, how and who I am. But to really have the behind-the-scenes and the adventures of my life,” she added.

The musician recently made the world record for the most studio albums released by a female country singer as she has released a total of 65 albums. She made all her fans proud by adding three more Guinness World Records to the plethora of her achievements. Now, she holds the world record for the top 10 entries on the U.S. top country albums chart for a female artist and the number is 48. The Guinness World Records shared pictures of Parton accepting the award on their official Twitter handle. “I am humbled every time I receive a new Guinness World Records title. I share these three new honors with my fans, who have allowed me to enjoy such a long career,” Parton said. 

While she enjoys her work she also loves spending time with her partner. Last year, she told Pollstar magazine that she isn't planning on touring again but she’s up to shows “here and there.” “I have no intention of going on a full-blown tour anymore,” she said. “I’ve done that my whole life and it takes so much time and energy. I like to stay a little closer to home with my husband.”