Opinion: Dolly Parton was underestimated for decades. That became one of her greatest strengths

When I interviewed Dolly Parton in 2015, the woman famous for her relentless optimism surprised me by talking candidly about a period when she had struggled with depression."I was having some personal problems and beginning to feel a little guilty about my success," the trailblazing singer-songwriter told me during a conversation at her beloved Dollywood Theme Park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.Parton, who died Aug. 25 at age 80, also reflected on the difficult decisions that shaped her career. I had asked the Country music icon about the period in her life in the 1980's when she was experiencing personal health and professional challenges after reportedly being diagnosed with endometriosis and undergoing a partial hysterectomy."I was having some personal problems and just beginning to kind of feel a little guilty about my success," she said. "I thought OK – enough is enough. Get off your fat ass and do something about it, cos nobody's happy all the time. I always make a joke now: people say 'Oh you're always seem to be so happy all the time,' I say, 'No I'm not happy all the time, that's Botox!"Parton knew when to bet on herselfFrom humble beginnings, Parton became a beloved global i...