A memorable exchange from a 1986 Australian interview with Dolly Parton, where she firmly but humorously deflected a reporter's question about her breast size, has gained renewed attention following the news of her death at age 80. The interview, conducted by Mike Munro for Channel Nine's 60 Minutes, occurred when Parton was discussing her extensive career.
Munro had asked Parton about her perceived privacy regarding her figure, to which she responded that she didn't believe it was necessary for fans to know every detail. She explained that her measurements "go up and down" and that she is "a tiny little person" whose figure is often "exaggerated."
"You'd be amazed to know how tiny they really are," Parton told Munro, who later shared that Parton had confided her measurements to him after the cameras stopped rolling. When Munro pressed again for her measurements, Parton laughed and responded, "No you can't. Up yours, buster."
Munro, reflecting on the interview on Ben Fordham's 2GB show, spoke highly of Parton, calling her a "legend" and a "very special lady." He noted that Parton's comfort in discussing her figure had made him feel at ease asking the question, even though it was his first major celebrity interview.
Parton's representatives confirmed her passing on Tuesday, stating that she died after a "brief battle with cancer" at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, surrounded by loved ones. Her representatives' statement to People also highlighted Parton's lifelong career of bringing "joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched."
The country music legend had been experiencing health issues for months, leading her to cancel several public appearances and raise concerns among her fans.