The veteran singer may be celebrating her 66th birthday but she's showing no signs of letting up - and has just released a new film.

One of 12 children born into a "dirt poor" but loving family in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, Dolly's 57-year career has earned her hundreds of millions of dollars and a loyal fanbase the world over. Possessing quick wit, strength and self-awareness, she revels in her image as a silicone-enhanced ditzy blonde, once reminding her public, "It costs a lot to make a person look this cheap."

As well as writing over 3,000 songs, including hits like Nine to Five, Jolene, Islands in the Stream and I Will Always Love You, Dolly has also made her mark in the movies, with her latest big screen offering, Joyful Noise, just released in the US and expected in the UK later this year.

She's a woman with a lot to say - click into the gallery below to see some of her most poignant, amusing and perceptive sayings, song lyrics and movie quotes and let us know what you like best about Dolly on Twitter.

Words: Anna Pollitt

Picture credits: Rex Features

Dolly Parton in her own words