Dolly Parton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dolly Parton
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Parton in 2014
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Dolly Rebecca Parton
January 19, 1946 |
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| Years active | 1956–present |
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Carl Dean
(m. 1966; died 2025) |
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| Awards | Full list |
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Dolly Rebecca Parton, born on January 19, 1946, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. She is also known for her generous charity work. After writing songs for other artists, Parton released her first album, Hello, I'm Dolly, in 1967. This began a career that has lasted over 60 years and includes 50 studio albums.
Often called the "Queen of Country", Dolly Parton is one of the most celebrated female country performers ever. She has won many awards, including eleven Grammy Awards and three Emmy Awards. She has also been nominated for two Academy Awards, including an honorary Oscar win in 2025 for her humanitarian work.
Parton has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making her one of the top-selling music artists. She has had 25 songs reach number one on the Billboard country music charts. This is a record for a female artist. She has written over 3,000 songs. Some of her most famous songs are "I Will Always Love You" (a huge hit for Whitney Houston), "Jolene", "Coat of Many Colors", and "9 to 5". As an actress, she starred in films like 9 to 5 (1980) and Steel Magnolias (1989).
She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1984. Other major honors include the National Medal of Arts in 2004 and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2006. She also received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011 and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 2025. In 2021, Time magazine included her on its list of the 100 most influential people. In 2025, Parton was announced as the recipient of the 2026 Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, which is an honorary Oscar.
Beyond music and movies, Parton co-owns The Dollywood Company. This company manages entertainment places like the Dollywood theme park and Splash Country water park. She also started many charity groups, especially the Dollywood Foundation. This foundation helps with education and fighting poverty in East Tennessee, where she grew up.
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Dolly Parton's Early Life and Beginnings
Dolly Rebecca Parton was born on January 19, 1946. She grew up in a small, one-room cabin in Pittman Center, Tennessee. She was the fourth of twelve children in her family.
Her father, Lee, worked hard on a small tobacco farm and took construction jobs. Even though he couldn't read, Dolly says he was very smart about business. Her mother, Avie Lee, took care of their large family. She entertained her children with Smoky Mountain folklore and old songs. Dolly credits her mother's family for her musical talent.
Dolly's family was very poor. Her father once paid the doctor who delivered her with a sack of cornmeal. She wrote about her family's poverty in songs like "Coat of Many Colors".
Music was a big part of her early life. She sang in church, where her grandfather was a preacher. She started playing a homemade guitar at age seven. When she was eight, her uncle bought her first real guitar. After finishing Sevier County High School in 1964, Dolly moved to Nashville the very next day to chase her dreams.
Dolly Parton's Music Journey
Starting Out and Writing Songs (1956–1966)
Dolly began performing as a child on local radio and TV shows. By age 10, she was on The Cas Walker Show in Knoxville. At 13, she recorded her first song, "Puppy Love". She also performed at the Grand Ole Opry, where Johnny Cash encouraged her.
Dolly first found success as a songwriter. She wrote many popular songs for other artists with her uncle, Bill Owens. These included hits for Bill Phillips and Skeeter Davis. In 1965, she signed with Monument Records. Her first country songs, "Dumb Blonde" and "Something Fishy", became hits in 1967. These songs were on her first album, Hello, I'm Dolly.
Becoming a Country Star (1967–1975)
In 1967, country star Porter Wagoner invited Dolly to join his TV show. She became very popular with his audience. Wagoner helped her sign with RCA Victor records. They released many successful duet songs together, starting with "The Last Thing on My Mind" in 1967.
Dolly also wanted to have solo hits. Her song "Joshua" became her first number-one hit in 1971. She had more solo hits, including her famous song "Coat of Many Colors".
Her biggest hit during this time was "Jolene", which reached number one in 1974. Dolly decided to leave Wagoner's show to focus on her solo career. She wrote "I Will Always Love You" about their professional split. This song also became a number-one hit. Later, Elvis Presley wanted to record it, but Dolly refused to give up half of her songwriting rights. This decision helped her earn millions of dollars from the song over the years.
Reaching a Wider Audience (1976–1986)
From 1974 to 1980, Dolly had many country hits. She started to make her music more mainstream to reach pop audiences. Her 1977 album, Here You Come Again, sold over a million copies. The title song became her first Top 10 pop hit.
Dolly's fame grew with many TV appearances. In 1980, she had three number-one country hits. One of these was "9 to 5", which also topped the pop charts in 1981. This song was from the movie 9 to 5, where she starred with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin.
In 1983, her duet with Kenny Rogers, "Islands in the Stream", was a huge number-one hit. Even with this success, her record label, RCA, did not renew her contract in 1986. She then signed with Columbia Records.
Country and Bluegrass Focus (1987–2005)
Dolly released the album Trio in 1987 with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt. It was very popular and won a Grammy Award. She then focused more on country music. Her 1989 album White Limozeen had two number-one hits.
A big moment came when Whitney Houston recorded "I Will Always Love You" for the movie The Bodyguard (1992). This version became one of the best-selling songs ever. Dolly's 1993 album Slow Dancing with the Moon was also very successful.
In the late 1990s, Dolly explored bluegrass. She released albums like The Grass Is Blue (1999) and Little Sparrow (2001), both winning Grammy Awards. In 1999, she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Tours and New Music (2005–2020)
Dolly received another Academy Award nomination for her song "Travelin' Thru" from the film Transamerica (2005). This song promoted acceptance and understanding. She also had another number-one hit with Brad Paisley called "When I Get Where I'm Going".
In 2008, she released Backwoods Barbie, which was her highest-charting album at the time. She also wrote songs for 9 to 5: The Musical. In 2011, she voiced a character in the animated film Gnomeo & Juliet. After Whitney Houston's death in 2012, Dolly shared her sadness and gratitude for Houston's version of "I Will Always Love You".
In 2014, Dolly toured the world with her album Blue Smoke. She performed at the famous Glastonbury Festival in the UK for over 180,000 people. In 2016, she toured the U.S. and Canada. She also collaborated with the a cappella group Pentatonix on "Jolene".
In 2019, Dolly collaborated with Christian music artists For King and Country and Zach Williams. In 2020, she released "When Life Is Good Again" to uplift spirits during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also released a Christmas album, A Holly Dolly Christmas.
Rockstar and Recent Activities (2022–Present)
In early 2022, Dolly Parton was nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She was inducted on November 5, 2022. In October 2022, she announced she would no longer tour regularly but would still do live shows.
On January 17, 2023, Dolly announced her first rock album, Rockstar. It featured collaborations with many famous artists like Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and Elton John. The album was released on November 17, 2023, and became her highest-charting solo album ever, reaching number three on the Billboard 200 chart.
In January 2023, she released the song "Gonna Be You" for the movie 80 for Brady with other legendary singers. In February 2025, she was featured on Sabrina Carpenter's song "Please Please Please". On March 7, 2025, Dolly released "If You Hadn't Been There" as a tribute to her late husband.
In June 2025, Dolly announced a six-date Las Vegas residency. However, her residency was postponed until September 2026 due to health procedures. On January 16, 2026, she released a new live version of "Light of a Clear Blue Morning" with several celebrity guests. On March 13, 2026, Dolly made her first major appearance since her health scare at Dollywood's 41st anniversary celebration.
Dolly Parton's Artistic Style
Musical Inspirations
Dolly Parton often says her family and community were her biggest inspirations. She remembers her mother singing old folk songs from the British Isles. Dolly also looked up to her Aunt Dorothy Jo, who played instruments and wrote songs. She admired other singers like George Jones and Kitty Wells.
Playing Instruments
Dolly can play many instruments, even though she doesn't read sheet music. She plays the dulcimer, autoharp, banjo, guitar, piano, and more. She even used her fingernails to create the beat for her song "9 to 5"!
Other Ventures and Contributions
Songwriting Success
Dolly Parton is a very productive songwriter. Her songs often tell stories about her humble mountain upbringing and her Christian faith. Songs like "Coat of Many Colors", "I Will Always Love You", and "Jolene" are considered classics. She has written over 3,000 songs and continues to write every day.
Her songs have been featured in many films. "I Will Always Love You" has been covered by many artists, with Whitney Houston's version selling over twelve million copies worldwide. Dolly has been nominated twice for an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Stage Musicals
Dolly wrote the music for 9 to 5: The Musical, a stage show based on her movie. The musical opened on Broadway in 2009. She also announced an autobiographical musical about her life, titled Dolly: A True Original Musical, which opened in Nashville in July 2025.
The Dollywood Company
Dolly has invested much of her earnings into businesses in her home region of East Tennessee. She co-owns The Dollywood Company. This company runs the Dollywood theme park, Dollywood's Splash Country water park, and dinner theaters like Dolly Parton's Stampede. These businesses bring many jobs and visitors to the area.
Her hometown of Sevierville, Tennessee, declared a "Dolly Parton Day" in her honor in 1970. In 2026, the State of Tennessee declared her 80th birthday to be Dolly Parton Day.
In October 2025, Dolly announced plans to open her new SongTeller Hotel and Dolly's Life of Many Colors Museum in Nashville. The museum is set to open in June 2026.
Acting Career
Dolly Parton has had a successful acting career in addition to her music. She starred in the comedy film 9 to 5 (1980) with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. The movie was a big hit and earned her Golden Globe nominations. She also wrote the film's popular title song.
She appeared in films like Steel Magnolias (1989), which was very popular.
Dolly has also acted in TV movies, voiced characters in animated shows like Gnomeo & Juliet (2011), and made guest appearances on sitcoms. She played "Aunt Dolly" in her goddaughter Miley Cyrus's series Hannah Montana. In 2015, a TV film based on her song Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors aired on NBC. In 2019, Netflix released Dolly Parton's Heartstrings, a series inspired by her songs. In 2020, she produced and starred in the Netflix musical film Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square, which won an Emmy Award.
Dolly Parton's Personal Life
Family Connections
Dolly is the fourth of twelve children. She and her husband helped raise several of her younger siblings in Nashville. Her nieces and nephews call her "Aunt Granny". Dolly is also the godmother of singer and actress Miley Cyrus.
Her Faith
Dolly Parton is a devoted Christian. Her faith has inspired many of her songs. She describes her approach to faith as personal, saying she has a lot of faith in herself and has been blessed by supportive people.
Carl Dean, Her Husband
Dolly met Carl Thomas Dean in Nashville the day after she graduated high school. They married two years later on May 30, 1966. Carl Dean always preferred to stay out of the spotlight and rarely attended public events with Dolly. He passed away on March 3, 2025, at the age of 82. Dolly often spoke of their strong and loving marriage, which lasted over 52 years.
Dolly Parton's Philanthropy and Giving Back
Since the 1980s, Dolly Parton has supported many charities. She is especially passionate about helping children learn to read.
Imagination Library
Her most famous charity is Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. She started it in honor of her father, who never learned to read or write. This program mails one free book each month to enrolled children from birth until they start kindergarten. It operates in over 1600 communities across the U.S., Canada, the UK, Australia, and Ireland. In 2018, she donated her 100 millionth free book to the Library of Congress.
In February 2025, Indiana's governor decided not to continue state funding for the Imagination Library. However, efforts were made to keep the program going in Indiana. Dolly has received many awards for her work in literacy.
Other Charitable Efforts
In 2009, Dolly received an honorary degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. This was for her work as a musician, entertainer, and advocate for education.
The Dollywood Foundation, funded by Dolly's earnings, has created many jobs and brought money to her home region. She has also raised money for other causes, including the American Red Cross and health-related charities. In 2006, she pledged $500,000 for a hospital and cancer center in her hometown.
Dolly has also worked to protect the bald eagle through the American Eagle Foundation at Dollywood. In 2007, she received the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service.
After the 2016 Great Smoky Mountains wildfires, Dolly started the "My People Fund". This fund raised about $9 million and provided financial help to over 900 families affected by the fires. The FBI honored her in 2018 for her aid during the wildfires.
Dolly has also given generously to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. In 2024, after Hurricane Helene, she donated $2 million to relief efforts.
Supporting Acceptance
Dolly Parton is known for openly supporting the gay community. She publicly supported same-sex marriage in 2009. She also voiced her support for the trans community in 2023.
COVID-19 Vaccine Research
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dolly donated $1 million to research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. This donation helped fund the early development of the Moderna vaccine. In March 2021, Dolly received her COVID-19 vaccine and encouraged everyone to get vaccinated.
Dolly Parton's Awards and Honors
Dolly Parton is one of the most awarded female country performers in history. She has 26 songs that reached number one on the Billboard country charts, a record for a female artist. She has sold over 100 million records. As of 2021, she has had songs on the country music charts in seven different decades, more than any other artist.
Dolly has won 11 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Grammy in 2011. She has received 55 Grammy nominations, the third-most for any female artist. She has also won three American Music Awards, ten Country Music Association Awards, and seven Academy of Country Music Awards. In 1978, she won the Country Music Association's highest honor, Entertainer of the Year.
She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a bronze statue in her hometown of Sevierville. She was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1969 and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1986. In 1999, she received country music's highest honor, induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
In 2004, the U.S. Library of Congress honored her with the Living Legend Medal. In 2005, she received the National Medal of Arts, the highest honor for arts in the U.S. In 2006, she received the Kennedy Center Honors for her lifetime contributions to the arts.
A new species of lichen found in the southern Appalachians was named Japewiella dollypartoniana in her honor in 2015. In 2018, she received a second star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris. She also holds Guinness World Records for her chart success. In 2022, she received a $100-million Courage and Civility Award from Jeff Bezos for her charity work. An asteroid, (10731) Dollyparton, was named after her in 2022.
Hall of Fame Inductions
Dolly Parton has been inducted into many Halls of Fame:
- Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (1986)
- Small Town of America Hall of Fame (1988)
- East Tennessee Hall of Fame (1988)
- Country Music Hall of Fame (1999)
- Songwriters Hall of Fame (2001)
- Junior Achievement of East Tennessee Business Hall of Fame (2003)
- The Americana Highway Hall of Fame (2006)
- Grammy Hall of Fame – "I Will Always Love You – 1974 Recording" (2007)
- Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame – Songwriter Category (2008)
- Gospel Music Hall of Fame (2009)
- Music City Walk of Fame (2009)
- Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame (2010)
- Grammy Hall of Fame – "Jolene – 1974 Recording" (2014)
- The National Hall of Fame for Mountain Artisans (2014)
- The Happiness Hall of Fame (2016)
- East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame (2019)
- Grammy Hall of Fame – "Coat of Many Colors – 1971 Recording" (2019)
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2022)
- International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Hall of Fame (2025)
- Licensing International Hall of Fame (2025)
- Volunteer State Music Hall of Fame (2025)
- Musicians Hall of Fame (expected 2026)
Images for kids
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Billboard advertisement, September 4, 1965
Discography
Solo studio albums
- Hello, I'm Dolly (1967)
- Just Because I'm a Woman (1968)
- In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad) (1969)
- My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy (1969)
- The Fairest of Them All (1970)
- The Golden Streets of Glory (1971)
- Joshua (1971)
- Coat of Many Colors (1971)
- Touch Your Woman (1972)
- My Favorite Songwriter, Porter Wagoner (1972)
- My Tennessee Mountain Home (1973)
- Bubbling Over (1973)
- Jolene (1974)
- Love Is Like a Butterfly (1974)
- The Bargain Store (1975)
- Dolly: The Seeker & We Used To (1975)
- All I Can Do (1976)
- New Harvest...First Gathering (1977)
- Here You Come Again (1977)
- Heartbreaker (1978)
- Great Balls of Fire (1979)
- Dolly, Dolly, Dolly (1980)
- 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs (1980)
- Heartbreak Express (1982)
- Burlap & Satin (1983)
- The Great Pretender (1984)
- Real Love (1985)
- Rainbow (1987)
- White Limozeen (1989)
- Home for Christmas (1990)
- Eagle When She Flies (1991)
- Slow Dancing with the Moon (1993)
- Something Special (1995)
- Treasures (1996)
- Hungry Again (1998)
- Precious Memories (1999)
- The Grass Is Blue (1999)
- Little Sparrow (2001)
- Halos & Horns (2002)
- For God and Country (2003)
- Those Were the Days (2005)
- Backwoods Barbie (2008)
- Better Day (2011)
- Blue Smoke (2014)
- Pure & Simple (2016)
- I Believe in You (2017)
- A Holly Dolly Christmas (2020)
- Run, Rose, Run (2022)
- Rockstar (2023)
Collaborative studio albums
- Just Between You and Me (with Porter Wagoner) (1968)
- Just the Two of Us (with Porter Wagoner) (1968)
- Always, Always (with Porter Wagoner) (1969)
- Porter Wayne and Dolly Rebecca (with Porter Wagoner) (1970)
- Once More (with Porter Wagoner) (1970)
- Two of a Kind (with Porter Wagoner) (1971)
- The Right Combination • Burning the Midnight Oil (with Porter Wagoner) (1972)
- Together Always (with Porter Wagoner) (1972)
- We Found It (with Porter Wagoner) (1973)
- Love and Music (with Porter Wagoner) (1973)
- Porter 'n' Dolly (with Porter Wagoner) (1974)
- Say Forever You'll Be Mine (with Porter Wagoner) (1975)
- Porter & Dolly (with Porter Wagoner) (1980)
- Once Upon a Christmas (with Kenny Rogers) (1984)
- Trio (with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt) (1987)
- Honky Tonk Angels (with Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette) (1993)
- Trio II (with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt) (1999)
- Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables (credited as Dolly Parton and Family) (2024)
Filmography
Theatrical releases
- 9 to 5 (1980)
- The Best Little ...house in Texas (1982)
- Rhinestone (1984)
- Steel Magnolias (1989)
- Straight Talk (1992)
- Frank McKlusky, C.I. (2002)
- Gnomeo & Juliet (2011)
- Joyful Noise (2012)
See also
In Spanish: Dolly Parton para niños
- Chasing Rainbows Museum
- List of American film actresses
- List of American television actresses
- List of country music performers
- List of composers of musicals
- List of music artists by net worth
- List of people from Tennessee
- List of philanthropists
- List of singer-songwriters
