Dolly Parton: Bio, Age, Young, Career, Songs, Awards, Husband, Siblings, Children, Tattoos & Net Worth

Dolly Parton, an iconic figure in the world of music and entertainment, has left an indelible mark on the hearts of millions. Born on January 19, 1946, in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, Parton’s journey from a humble cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains to the glittering stages of Hollywood is a testament to her talent, determination, and charisma. With a career spanning over six decades, she has released countless hit songs, including classics like “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You,” earning her the title of “Queen of Country Music.”

Beyond her musical achievements, Parton is a multifaceted personality, known for her philanthropic efforts, business acumen, and acting roles. Her Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, attracts millions of visitors annually, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit. Moreover, her commitment to education and children’s literacy is evident through her Imagination Library initiative, which has donated millions of books to children worldwide.

A member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Parton’s influence transcends genres and generations. Her vibrant personality, combined with her distinctive voice, has made her a beloved figure globally. Whether it’s her heartfelt ballads, uplifting anthems, or her role as a cultural ambassador, Dolly Parton’s legacy is vast and enduring. As a symbol of resilience, creativity, and compassion, she continues to inspire and captivate audiences, solidifying her place as a true legend in the annals of music history.

Dolly Parton Young/Birth

Dolly was born in the United States of America. Rebecca Parton is the fourth of 12 children born to Robert Lee Parton Sr. and Avie Lee Caroline. Then, she was born in Sevier County, Tennessee, on the outskirts of the state, in 1946. They lived in abject poverty since the father worked as a construction worker and the mother as a homemaker. Even in her early songs, like “Coat of Many Colors,” she emphasized the depth of her adversity.

Her interest in music began at the age of six, when she began singing in church and later appeared on local television and radio stations. When she was 10 years old, she appeared on major radio stations in Tennessee. After college, she moved to Nashville to compose music with her uncle, Bill Owens, and wrote top-charting hits including “Fuel to the Flame” and “Putt it Off Until Tomorrow.” Her first country songs were “Something Fishy” and “Dumb Blonde.”

Dolly Parton Bio

Dolly Parton Career

So, Dolly Parton began performing professionally at the age of ten on television and radio shows in Knoxville, Tennessee. Also, her career then took off when she teamed up with singer Porter Wagoner for the Porter Wagoner Show in 1967. This collaboration also aided her in obtaining a recording contract with RCA Records. RCA Records released her debut duet record as a duet with Porter Wagoner, a copy of Tom Paxton’s song “The Last Thing on My Mind,” in 1967, which hit the country top 10 in early 1968. This collaboration produced an unbroken string of top ten hits over the next six years. So, Dolly Parton had her first No. 1 Country singles success with ‘Joshua’ in 1971.

In the years that followed, she had other successful singles and duets, including ‘Coat of Many Colors,’ ‘Burning the Midnight Oil,’ ‘Touch Your Woman,’ and ‘The Right Combination.’

Dolly Parton scored the biggest success until then in 1973 with the tune ‘Jolene.’ The next year, she released ‘I Will Always Love You,’ which went on to become one of her hallmark songs. Then, she earned three country chart tops in 1974: ‘Jolene,’ ‘I Will Always Love You,’ and ‘Love is Like a Butterfly.’ Dolly Parton decided to quit her relationship with Porter Wagoner about this time in order to pursue her ambition of a solo career.

1975

They stayed on friendly terms, though, and he continued to assist Dolly Parton with her albums. They continued to record duet albums until 1975, when they released ‘Say Forever You’ll Be Mine.’ Dolly Parton wanted to increase her recognition by transitioning from country to pop music, and in 1976 she began working with talent manager Sandy Galling, who would go on to be her personal manager for the next 25 years. Then, she released her album ‘All I Can Do’ the same year. However, while being warmly appreciated, the first several albums did not reach the top of the charts.

She recorded her first crossover single, ‘Here You Come Again,’ in 1977, which topped both the Pop and Country Music charts. In 1978, she got her first Grammy Award for her performance. So, Dolly Parton continued to have hit numbers that dominated country music charts for the next two years. During this period, she made several television appearances, including interviews and hosting shows. In 1980, her reputation skyrocketed with a string of hit singles, including ‘Starting Over Again,’ ‘Old Flames Can’t Hold a Candle to You,’ and ‘9 to 5’. So, Dolly Parton also appeared in the 1980 comedic feature picture ‘9 to 5’.

1981

The film’s theme song reached No. 1 on the adult contemporary, pop, and country music charts all at the same time in 1981. So, Dolly Parton was the only artist with such a record.

Following the success of her acting debut, she appeared in a number of films, including ‘Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’ (1982), ‘Rhinestone’ (1984), ‘Steel Magnolias’ (1989), and ‘Straight Talk’ (1992), as well as a few television episodes. So, Dolly Parton established Dollywood, a theme park in Tennessee, in 1986. Even now, the amusement park remains a famous tourist site. So, Dolly Parton was still doing well in music throughout the mid-eighties, with high album sales.

Her contract with RCA Records, however, expired about the same time she got a contract with Columbia Records in 1987. In the same year, she published the album ‘Trio,’ co-written and performed by Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt, which became a smash and received widespread critical praise. With the album ‘Rainbow,’ Dolly Parton continued to seek success in pop music. Later, she shifted her focus to country music, producing No. 1 songs such as ‘Yellow Roses’ and ‘Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That.’ Dolly Parton’s commercial popularity skyrocketed after legendary vocalist Whitney Houston sang her song ‘I Will Always Love You’ for the 1992 feature film ‘The Bodyguard.’ The song, as well as the album, was a huge success.

1993-present

Her CD ‘Slow Dancing With The Moon’ was critically acclaimed in 1993. So, the authors of the song ‘The Day I Fall in Love,’ which was included in the film ‘Beethoven’s 2nd,’ received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song the same year. Until the late 1990s, her songs were well received and retained their individuality. Then, she began recording a series of CDs influenced by Bluegrass music, a kind of American country music, in 1999. ‘The Grass is Blue’ (1999), ‘Little Sparrow’ (2001), ‘Halos & Horns’ (2002), and ‘Those Were the Days’ (2003) were her four studio albums (2005). Then, she also penned the song ‘Travelin’ Thru’ for the feature film ‘Transamerica,’ for which she received an Academy Award nomination that year.

She has been since then.

She has been busy since then, appearing on musical shows, publishing her own song collection, and so on. Then, she worked with Kenny Rogers on the musical CD ‘You Can’t Make Old Friends’ in 2013. ‘Blue Smoke,’ her 42nd album, was published in 2014.

Dolly Parton Husband

Dolly Parton married Carl Thomas Dean (born July 20, 1942) on May 30, 1966 in Ringgold, Georgia. Despite the fact that Parton does not use Dean’s surname professionally, she has revealed that her passport says “Dolly Parton Dean” and that she occasionally uses Dean when signing contracts. Dean, who retired from owning an asphalt road-paving firm in Nashville, has always avoided limelight and rarely attends events with his wife. So, Parton joked that he had only seen her perform once.

She has also stated in interviews that, while it looks that they spend little time together, it is merely because no one sees him publicly. Then, she has touched on Dean’s romantic side, claiming that he does unexpected things to surprise her and even writes poetry for her on occasion. So, Parton stated in 2011: “We are quite proud of our marriage. It’s our first time together. And finally.” Parton stated on May 6, 2016, that she and her husband will rekindle their vows in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary later that month.

Dolly Parton Children

Over the years, the pair has been content to live separate lives while Parton was frequently on tour and singing. They do not have children, but Parton has touched the lives of millions of youngsters via her Imagination Library, which has sent more than 100 million books to children from birth to kindergarten.

Dolly Parton Siblings

Parton is the fourth in a family of twelve children. Willadeene, David Wilburn, Coy Denver, Robert Lee, Stella Mae, Cassie Nan, Randle Huston (dead), Larry Gerald (deceased), twins Floyd Estel and Frieda Estelle, and Rachel Ann are her siblings.

So, Parton and Dean raised some of Parton’s younger siblings in Nashville, earning her nieces and nephews the nicknames “Uncle Peepaw” and “Aunt Granny,” the latter of which inspired the name of one of Parton’s Dollywood restaurants. So, the couple had no children since she suffered from endometriosis, which finally led her to have a hysterectomy. Miley Cyrus, a singer-songwriter and actor, has Parton as her godmother.

Dolly Parton Net Worth

Dolly Parton’s net worth was $600 million as of August 2021. But in 2022, her net worth is 650 million dollars. So, Dolly Parton’s net worth is mostly earned from music revenues, since she has sold over 100 million records and created over 3000 songs. Another source of Dolly Parton’s wealth is her acting career, which is reported to have earned her more than $300 million.

Also, her Dollywood Company, which owns and operates the Dollywood theme park and Waterpark Dollywood’s Splash Country, contributes to her net worth in addition to movies and music. Not to mention that her tours bring in a substantial chunk of money, which contributes to Dolly Parton’s net worth, with her Better Day tour earning $34 million in 2011. So, Dolly Parton’s current annual earnings are believed to be $37 million.

Dolly Parton Awards

• So, Dolly Parton has garnered 25 gold, platinum, and multi-platinum awards from the Recording Industry Association of America.
• Then, her album ‘New Harvest, First Gathering’ won the American Music Awards’ favorite Country Album category in 1978.
• Then, She received the Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance in 1979 for the song “Here You Come Again.”
• Also, Dolly Parton received the Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance in 1992 for her song “9 to 5.”
• Also, With her album ‘Trio,’ she received the Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group in 1988.
• Then, In 1999, Dolly Parton was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
• Then, In 2000, she received a Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for the song “After the Gold Rush.”
• Moreover, her CD ‘The Grass is Blue’ received the Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album in 2001.
• Then, In 2002, she received the Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for the song “Shine.”
• Then, Dolly Parton received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.

Dolly Parton Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus’ godmother is country music icon Dolly Parton. So, Parton stated that she was cast in the part because of her strong friendship with Cyrus’ father, Billy Ray. Over the years, Cyrus and Parton have both talked favorably about their friendship.

Dolly Parton Age

Besides, she is 77 years old currently.

Dolly Parton Tattoos

Dolly confessed in an interview with W Magazine that she isn’t completely tattooed. “I have a few minor tattoos here and there,” the singer stated, revealing she had ribbon, bow, beehive, and butterfly tattoos. “I don’t have any large, dark tattoos. My colors are all pastel. I also have more than one!”

Dolly Parton Songs

• 9 to 5 (1980)
• A Gamble Either Way (1983)
• A Little At A Time (1972)
• All I Can Do (1976)
• Applejack (1977)
• Baby, I’m Burnin’ (1978)
• Backwoods Barbie (2008)
• Better Day (2011)
• Better Get To Livin’ (2007)
• Blue Smoke (2014)
• Bubbling Over (1973)
• Can’t Be That Wrong (2016)
• Chemo Hero (2017)
• Christmas Is (2020)
• Cracker Jack (1974)
• Daddy (1969)
• Daddy Come And Get Me (1969)
• Don’t Call It Love (1985)
• Down From Dover (1969)
• Down On Music Row (1973)
• Robert F. Thomas (1973)
• Dumb Blonde (1967)
• Eagle When She Flies (1991)
• Evening Shade (1969)
• Girl In The Movies (2018)
• God’s Coloring Book (1977)
• Gypsy, Joe And Me (1969)
• Halos And Horns (2002)
• Hello God (2002)
• Here You Come Again (1977)
• I Believe In You (2017)
• Hungry Again (1998)
• I Remember (1973)
• I Will Always Love You (1974)
• From Here to the Moon and Back (2014)
• I’m Sixteen (2016)
• In the Meantime (2011)
• It’s All Wrong, But It’s All Right (1977)
• Jesus & Gravity (2008)
• Jolene (1974)
• Joshua (1970)
• Just Because I’m a Woman (1968)
• Light Of A Clear Blue Morning (1977)
• Little Sparrow (2001)
• Little Tiny Tassel Top (1951)
• Love Is Like A Butterfly (1974)
• Mama (2016)
• Me And Little Andy (1977)
• Mountain Angel (2001)
• My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy (1969)
• Only Dreamin’ (2008)
• Puppy Love (1959)
• Pure and Simple (2016)
• Raven Dove (2002)
• Romeo (1993)
• Sacrifice (2011)
• Single Women (1982)
• Something Fishy (1967)
• Starting Over Again (1980)
• The Bargain Store (1975)
• The Bridge (1968)
• The Golden Streets Of Glory (1971)
• The Grass Is Blue (1999)
• The Last One To Touch Me (1971)
• The Seeker (1975)
• These Old Bones (2002)
• Together You and I (2011)
• Touch Your Woman (1972)
• Traveling Man (1971)
• Try (2014)
• Two Doors Down (1977)
• We Used To (1975)
• When Life Is Good Again (2020)

Some Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dolly Parton still married to her first husband?

So, Dolly Parton and Carl Dean have been married for over 56 years, although they are rarely seen together in public. So, the following is a timeline of their relationship.

What does Dolly Parton do with her money?

In addition to her own foundation, Parton has given money to a number of charitable organizations outside of Dollywood, including the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, the Save the Music Foundation, and the Boot Campaign, which helps military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and physical injuries.

Why does Dolly wear sleeves?

“So my pastels are all pastels, and they’re meant to cover some scars. I’m not making some grand, audacious claim.” So, Dolly got tattoos to cover up scars, and now she wears long sleeves all the time to hide both the scars and the tattoos.

What kind of car does Dolly Parton drive?

So, Dolly Parton has had a thing for Cadillacs ever since she became famous. Also, her personal favorite was her 1997 Cadillac D’Elegance. Then, she, like most of us, kept and drove that car for over a decade. It is now housed in the Hollywood Stars Car Collection in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.