Dolly Parton Hopes She Doesn’t Live As Long As Betty White

Dolly Parton and Betty White are two of the most legendary female talents in entertainment history. Despite having a lot in common, Dolly differs from Betty in a big way.

Betty White passed away on New Year’s Eve 2021 at the age of 99, just three weeks before she would have turned 100. In a recent interview, Dolly Parton was asked if she had ever met Betty White and if they were friends. Dolly replied that they had met a time or two and that she was a huge fan of the actress.

“I knew of her work and I just loved her. I just thought she was great,” the 76-year-old said before admitting that she hoped to age as well as Betty White, but didn’t want to live as long as the Golden Girls star.

“I hope to be like that…if I live that long, I hope to be able to be active and productive,” Dolly said. “I hope I don’t live that long, to be honest. I just hope I go out at my peak, whenever that peak might be, and just fall out like that,” the singer said as she snapped her fingers.

After Betty White’s death, Dolly took to social media to honor the actress, saying: “While watching the news last night I learned of Betty White’s passing. Betty will live forever not only in this world but the world here after. I will always love her as we all will!”

While watching the news last night I learned of Betty White’s passing. Betty will live forever not only in this world but the world here after. I will always love her as we all will!

— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) January 1, 2022

Dolly Parton‘s affection for Betty White was reciprocated, as recorded in a 2010 interview with The Boot. In speaking with the outlet, White said that she was a fan of country music and that Dolly’s infamous tune “9 to 5” was among her favorites.

“Country music tells stories, and it’s also basic,” White said. “It’s the kind of music that reaches right inside of you because it’s simple and it’s direct. I just enjoy it thoroughly. It’s relaxing and nostalgic. It can turn on some lovely memories and sometimes some poignant ones.

“I like Dolly’s whole approach to life with ongoing and uplifting songs,” she said. “I never met Dolly but everything I ever heard about her she was a great gal to know and you could kind of get it in her music and her voice and her approach to lyrics.”

Hear Dolly Parton talk about Betty White in the interview below.