Dolly Parton

Poised to publish a new book, Dream More, the country-music powerhouse ponders baked potatoes, Snow White, and that trademark mouth.

Illustration by Risko

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

A big loaded baked potato and a good book with time to eat it and read it.

What is your greatest fear?

Flipping my wig.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

Snow White, because she slept with the seven dwarfs and got away with it.

Which living person do you most admire?

Any person trying to uplift mankind.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

The fact that sometimes my mouth is a little too big and a little too open and sounds too much like a sailor.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Dishonesty and being late for appointments.

What is your greatest extravagance?

My bus and my stage costumes.

What is your favorite journey?

Driving my Jeep around My Tennessee Mountain Home.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Monogamy—I’m sorry, I meant monotony.

Which living person do you most despise?

Unfortunately, it’s different every day because every day somebody is hurting a whole lot of people.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

“It takes a lot of money to look this cheap.”

What is your greatest regret?

I would have really loved to hear Elvis sing “I Will Always Love You.”

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

My husband, Carl Dean—we have been together for 47 years.

When and where were you happiest?

Today.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I want really long legs.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

The Imagination Library.

If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?

A big, fat hog so I could eat whatever I want.

What is your most treasured possession?

Dollywood.

What is your favorite occupation?

Songwriting.

What is your most marked characteristic?

Do I really need to answer that question?

Who are your heroes in real life?

Everyone who gets up every day, puts on their boots or high heels, and gets to working on what they love to do.

What are your favorite names?

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene.

What is it that you most dislike?

Laziness.

How would you like to die?

Singing onstage—and everyone walking around me saying, “Look how happy she looks.”

What is your motto?

“Dream more, learn more, care more, and be more.”

http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2012/11/dolly-parton-proust-questionnaire