Dolly Parton

Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean (née Parton; January 19, 1946 – August 25, 2026) was an American singer-songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman. Dubbed the "Queen of Country", Parton was one of the most successful country music performers in history. She was also known for her cultural influence, particularly through Dollywood and the Dollywood Foundation. With more than a hundred million records sold, Parton was among the best-selling music artists of all time.

Born and raised in East Tennessee, Parton wrote her first song at age six, performed regularly on television by age ten, made her first recording a year later, and became a professional songwriter at sixteen. After writing songs for others, she released her debut album, Hello, I'm Dolly in 1967, starting her nearly sixty-year career. Parton released 49 studio albums and wrote more than 3,000 songs, including "I Will Always Love You" – a two-time US country chart-topper and an international success for Whitney Houston that became the best-selling single by a woman – "Jolene", "Coat of Many Colors", and "9 to 5". The lattermost, as well as the Kenny Rogers duet "Islands in the Stream", reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Her final solo studio album, Rockstar (2023), became her highest-charting album on the Billboard 200, reaching No. 3.

In film, Parton starred in the comedy films 9 to 5 (1980), The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), Rhinestone (1984), Steel Magnolias (1989), Straight Talk (1992), and Joyful Noise (2012). For television, she produced and starred in a series of Netflix films including Christmas on the Square (2021), which earned her a Primetime Emmy Award. She also played Aunt Dolly in Hannah Montana (2006–2010), hosted Saturday Night Live (1989), and guest-starred on Reba (2005) and Grace and Frankie (2022). On Broadway, she wrote the music and lyrics for the musical 9 to 5 (2009), which earned her a Tony Award nomination. Her life will be depicted in Dolly: A True Original Musical (2026).

Parton's music received 52 gold, platinum, and multi-platinum certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Her accolades include eleven Grammy Awards and three Emmy Awards. She logged 25 No. 1 Billboard country singles (tied with Reba McEntire for the most by a woman), 44 career Top 10 country albums (a record for any artist), and 110 career-charted singles over forty years. Parton was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (1984), the National Medal of Arts (2004), the Kennedy Center Honor (2006), the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2011), and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award (2025).

Dolly Rebecca Parton was born on January 19, 1946, in a one-room cabin on the banks of the Little Pigeon River in Pittman Center, Tennessee. She was the fourth of twelve children born to Avie Lee Carolina (née Owens) and Robert Lee Parton. Her three elder siblings are Willadeene, David Wilburn, and Coy Denver; her younger siblings are Robert Lee "Bobby" Jr., Stella Mae, Cassie Nan, Randle Huston "Randy", Larry Garrold (who died shortly after birth in 1955), twins Frieda Estelle and Floyd Estel, and Rachel Ann. Parton's middle name came from her maternal great-great-grandmother, Rebecca Whitted (née Dunn).

Biography summary from English Wikipedia, photograph via Wikimedia Commons.