Dolly Parton – A Larger-Than-Life Living Legend

Dolly Parton is one of those rare people who is lauded by nearly everyone on the planet. She’s a singer-songwriter, a multi-instrumentalist, an author, an actress and more. She’s been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (though she initially declined her Hall of Fame nomination, saying that she didn’t feel she “earned it”). She’s a philanthropist, an icon, and, most of all, a larger-than-life living legend.

In the beginning, Dolly Parton was a country music phenomenon who quickly rose to prominence after her first two singles—“Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You”—hit number one on the charts in 1974. The following year, she scored a major hit with her duet with Kenny Rogers, “Islands in the Stream,” and continued to dominate the charts throughout the ‘80s.  She released a number of successful albums including 1987’s Trio with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt and 1993’s Honky Tonk Angels.

With her larger-than-life persona and wardrobe, Dolly Barton has become an enduring figure in pop culture and is recognized worldwide. Her feisty persona has been interpreted as everything from tacky and trashy to empowering, and she’s even been called a feminist icon for her ability to find the truth in femininity and glamour.

She’s known for her oversized dresses and big hair, but she’s also known for her big heart and tireless work ethic. Her desire to make it all the way to the top has been a driving force behind her success. From selling out stadiums to starring in movies with Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda, she’s proved that you can make it as an American entertainer with talent, hard work, determination and an unwavering sense of self-pride.

Her philanthropy has also earned her the distinction of being a true living legend. She’s an advocate for women’s rights and equality, and she’s helped countless charities and causes over the years. In the wake of the 2016 fires in Gatlinburg and other towns around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, she raised millions of dollars to help the communities rebuild their homes. She’s also an avid entrepreneur and has her name on everything from perfume to candy.

Early Life and Career Of Dolly Parton

The multitalented Dolly Parton has earned every accolade country music can offer. She’s a singer, songwriter, actress, producer, author, businesswoman and philanthropist with a global empire worth hundreds of millions. Her success stems from her unfailing work ethic, an ability to relate to people from all walks of life and a steadfast commitment to family and faith.

Dolly Parton was born in 1946 to a farming couple in Sevier County, eastern Tennessee. One of 12 children, she was raised “dirt poor” in a humble farmhouse and cabin. She grew up in a household where the gospel permeated daily life and where she learned to play piano, write songs and play guitar.

Her parents’ church choir sang during Sunday services and revivals, which influenced her musical style. She recalls being able to feel the Spirit move in those services, and says that’s why her singing is so expressive and free. She’s also said that her upbringing in the church helped form her sense of morality and ethics.

Parton’s talent was recognized early on, and at age 19 she moved to Nashville, where her first recording contract with Monument Records was for a bubblegum pop album. But after her composition “Put It Off Until Tomorrow” (as recorded by Bill Phillips with Skeeter Davis on harmony) went to number six on the country chart, the label relented and allowed her to record country music.

In the 1970s, Dolly Parton became a major star with hits like “Here You Come Again,” which topped both the pop and country charts. This success marked the beginning of a long streak of crossover hits, as well as successful film and television appearances.

While Parton’s music prowess and spirituality came from her mother’s family, her sharp business acumen, she says, was inherited from her father. He was a tenderhearted lifelong laborer who didn’t learn to read or write, but he was savvy with a horse and could stretch a bit of money a long way. He instilled in his daughter a love for values and a respect for the dignity of hard work.

In the 1980s, Parton starred in the hit movie 9 to 5 and wrote music for it. This movie, with its message about women fighting workplace discrimination and sexual harassment, was a breakthrough for Parton and helped her to win more awards and critical praise.

Dolly Parton Siblings Are Singers and Actors

When Dolly Parton was growing up in a one-room cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee, she didn’t have the luxury of a big family. In fact, Avie and Robert Parton had 12 children, and Dolly was the first to make a name for herself in music (and even wrote the song “Jolene”). But did you know that other members of the Parton clan are singers as well? In fact, Dolly has several siblings who are pursuing careers in the industry and can be found performing with her at Dollywood.

Stella is a country singer and performed with Dolly at the Red Tent Women’s Conference in 2014, an event to spread awareness about domestic violence. She is also an author and has her own book series.

Her other sister, Willadeene, is an author who has written many books on spirituality. The oldest brother, Randy, was a musician who sadly passed away in 2021. He was the co-star of the television show ‘Coat of Many Colors’, which Dolly made into a film in 2015. He had two sons from his previous relationships and two grandsons.

Frieda is another sibling who branched out into the music industry and was in a punk band in the 1980s. She also sang backup on a few of Dolly’s albums. She has since retired from singing and now operates her own chapel as an ordained minister. Her other brother, Floyd, was a songwriter who worked alongside his sister. He penned songs like “Rockin’ Years” and “Waltz Me to Heaven,” both of which appear on Dolly’s albums, according to Country Living. Floyd passed away in 2018.

The youngest of the Parton clan is Cassie Nan, who acted on the ‘Nine to Five’ TV show and sings with her sisters at Dollywood from time to time. She is married and has a daughter of her own, named Jada. Jada has appeared on ‘Claim to Fame’, a reality show where celebrities compete to see who can correctly guess their celebrity relatives’ names.

Unlike her sisters, Dolly’s younger brother, Bobby Lee, did not pursue a career in the music industry. He is an expert in hunting and fishing and runs a moonshine distillery in Sevierville called Shine Girl. He has also opened a restaurant named “Bear foot in the Woods.” His other daughter, Danielle, is Dolly’s best friend and is an actress who works as a makeup artist. She also owns her own business and has a line of moonshine, too.

A Young Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton is one of the most accomplished women in American history. The 73-year-old singer has had 25 songs reach number one on the country charts (a record for a woman), 41 top ten country albums, and 110 charted singles. She has starred in multiple films and television shows, including Steel Magnolias and Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. She is the only female performer to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for both music and film.

A talented songwriter, Dolly has written many of her own hits as well as those recorded by other artists. Her music crosses genres and has earned her numerous accolades, including a place in the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Library of Congress’ Living Legend medal for contributions  to American culture.

She also has a number of philanthropic projects and causes that she supports, including the Dolly Parton Center for Women’s Services in her hometown of Sevierville, Tennessee. She has a statue on the lawn of the Sevier County Courthouse and is recognized with a number of awards and honors, such as the National Medal of Arts.

Dolly has a reputation for being a down-to-earth and likable person. She has a great sense of humor that often involves playing with her hair or making jokes about herself. She is a devoted Christian who frequently gives back to her community and helps others in need. In her spare time, Dolly enjoys shopping and traveling. She is a huge animal lover and owns many rescued animals.

Dolly Parton Net Worth

When it comes to iconic country legends, Dolly Parton is at the top of the heap. Her distinctive voice, as comforting as a warm apple pie yet as powerful as a freight train, catapulted her into the limelight. Whether singing about a heartbreaking loss, the hardships of a blue-collar job or an all too common love story, her timeless songs remain an anthem for countless generations. This, coupled with her innate, fervent songwriting capabilities, has been a major contributor to her impressive $650 million net worth.

Her philanthropic work has also been a driving force in her success. In 1995, she founded the Imagination Library, a book gifting program that sends free books to children in underserved areas around the world. Known for her humble beginnings, the hard-working Dolly has a savvy business acumen that has been key to her longevity. She has used her wealth to create numerous business ventures, including a fragrance, the famous theme park Dollywood, and her own restaurant chain.

In the music business, Dolly Parton has racked up a huge catalog of hit singles and albums. Her songs are regularly featured on television and in movies, which means Dolly is always getting royalties from the use of her work.

As well as being a successful singer, Dolly Parton is also a talented actress. She made her film debut in the movie 9 to 5 in 1980 and went on to appear in many more films, including The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Rhinestone, Steel Magnolias and Dumpling. Her acting skills have certainly paid off over the years, and she continues to receive generous checks for appearing on the big screen.

Dolly Parton has also invested in a variety of other businesses, and her real estate portfolio is one of her most valuable assets. She owns the Dollywood amusement park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee which has amusement rides, restaurants and river rafting and is visited by over three million people each year. She has a 50% stake in the park and also owns other entertainment properties like the DreamMore Resort and Spa, Dollywood’s Splash Country water park, Stampede Dinner Attraction and Smoky Mountain Cabins.

Dolly Parton hasn’t just diversified her career; she is also a very wise investor. She has an impressive investment portfolio that includes 15 stocks worth $26 million. This has helped to keep her wealth intact throughout the many ups and downs of her storied career, as well as giving her access to lucrative opportunities for future growth.