Dolly Parton dead at 80 as Mike Munro remembers legendary TV clash

The Australian journalist who Dolly Parton famously put in his place on national television has spoken about the infamous interview in the wake of her death.

It was during a 1986 interview on 60 Minutes with Parton when eyebrows were raised about her “striking figure”, with reporter Mike Munro quizzing the musician about her measurements.

“There’s one question the usually candid Miss Parton loves to leave unanswered,” Munro said.

“You’ve always been very protective about your measurements of your striking figure,” he said.

With a coy smile, Parton said the “reason why I never give my measurements is because they go up and down”.

<img src="https://cue.wanews.com.au/webservice/thumbnail/article/22777397" id="_2d0f455f-f536-48dd-9f11-f8fd7ab45fdd" capiid="e5c00d53a3fb5a3c85808a5820b9222f" alt="" caption="Dolly Parton wasn’t keen to answer the personal questions" Picture: 60 Minutes">

“I’m actually not as big as people think, cuz I’m a tiny little person, and I’m small boned, and I’m just over exaggerated,” she said.

Munro pressed further, asking if the viewers at home could learn the size of her breasts. Parton hit back with a sharp laugh and single response.

Four decades later, Munro told 2GB’s Ben Fordham on Wednesday morning the American singer was a “very special lady”.

He was “absolutely” nervous during the interview, which was the “first major celebrity interview” he ever did.

When asked about the eyebrow-raising question about her bust, Munro said he felt comfortable asking about it since she was “so open” about her figure.

“When the cameras were turned off, she did tell me (her measurements),” he said.

“Everyone said I should carry a .45 instead of wearing one,” she told him.

The glamorous blonde musician was born in Tennessee in 1946 and became one of the most successful names in country music and film, with a career spanning more than six decades.