Dolly Rebecca Parton, born January 19, 1946, in Sevier County, Tennessee, is an iconic American country music artist who has released 49 studio albums and achieved 25 No. 1 singles throughout her five-decade career. Beyond her extensive musical accomplishments, including over 3,000 compositions and 10 Grammy Awards, Parton has established herself as an actress, businesswoman through ventures like Dollywood theme park, and philanthropist via her Imagination Library program. Her multifaceted career continues to expand across entertainment and charitable endeavors.
An entertainment icon whose career has spanned six decades, Dolly Rebecca Parton stands as one of the most successful and influential figures in American popular music, having sold over 100 million records worldwide while simultaneously establishing herself as an accomplished actress, businesswoman, and philanthropist. Born January 19, 1946, in Sevier County, Tennessee, Parton grew up in a large, low-income family as one of 12 siblings, beginning her performance career as a child on local radio and television programs before moving to Nashville immediately after high school graduation to pursue professional music. Her uncle Bill Owens encouraged her musical development by gifting her a guitar and facilitating early performances.
Parton’s recording career commenced with her 1967 debut album *Hello, I’m Dolly*, launching a prolific six-decade journey that has produced 49 studio albums, 44 Top 10 country albums, and 110 career-charted singles spanning four decades. Her commercial success includes 25 No. 1 singles on the *Billboard* country music charts, tying the record for most by a female artist, while her songwriting portfolio encompasses over 3,000 compositions including iconic hits “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You,” and “9 to 5.”
The music industry has recognized Parton’s contributions through numerous prestigious accolades, including 10 Grammy Awards, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011, and inductions into multiple halls of fame including the Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1986, Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001, and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
Additional honors include 13 Academy of Country Music awards, 9 Country Music Association awards as of April 2022, and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2006.
Parton’s artistic influence extends beyond music into film and television, beginning with her 1980 debut in *9 to 5*, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress. Subsequent film appearances include *The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas*, *Steel Magnolias*, and *Joyful Noise*, while her business ventures encompass the successful Dollywood theme park in Tennessee and various media enterprises. Her early career breakthrough came through joining Porter Wagoner’s organization in 1967, which provided regular television and road show appearances that significantly increased her popularity and audience reach.
Her philanthropic endeavors demonstrate significant social impact, particularly through the Imagination Library, which has distributed over 200 million books to children globally. Parton’s charitable contributions include substantial donations to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, especially $1 million for COVID-19 vaccine research, along with ongoing support for health, education, disaster relief, and local community development initiatives in Sevier County, Tennessee.
These diverse accomplishments across entertainment, business, and humanitarian work have established Parton as a multifaceted cultural figure whose influence transcends traditional industry boundaries.
