Dolly Parton

Dolores “Dolly” Rebecca Parton Jr. (September 11, 1946) was an American country singer-songwriter, composer, author and actress. She has become one of the most successful female country artists in history, with 25 number-one singles (a record for a female country artist) and 41 top-10 country albums (a record for any country artist). She is known for her top-three single "Here You Come Again" and the number-one hits "9 to 5" and "Islands in the Stream" (a duet with singer Kenny Rogers).[1]

Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton at 'Blue Smoke World Tour' in Knoxville.jpg
Dolly Parton in May 2014
Born19 January 1946 (aged 79)
Occupation
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • actress
  • author
  • philanthropist
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
Years active1954–present
Labels

Parton has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time.[2][3]

Parton is one of the most-honored female country performers of all time. She has won eleven Grammy Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award, as well as nominations for two Academy Awards, six Golden Globe Awards, and a Tony Award. In 2025, she was honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.

Career

Her 1967 song "Dumb Blonde" was heard by country singer Porter Wagoner, and he asked Parton to be a part of his television show. Her single "Jolene" reached number one in 1974, becoming a solo artist, though still performed and recorded with Wagoner.[4]

In the fifty-four years since her debut, Parton has become one of the most famous country artists in the world.

Personal life

Parton married Carl Dean in 1966. Dean died in 2025.[5][6]

Parton is the godmother of singer and actress Miley Cyrus.[7]

Discography

Singles

As featured artist

Dolly Parton Media

References

  1. "Dolly Parton". Billboard. https://www.billboard.com/music/dolly-parton. Retrieved 2019-10-14. 
  2. Blistein, Jon (November 20, 2023). "Dolly Parton Updates Her Classic 'Jolene' for Her Rock & Roll Era". Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/dolly-parton-bonus-songs-new-album-rockstar-1234886964/. Retrieved January 20, 2024. 
  3. Yahr, Emily (October 17, 2023) (in en). Dolly Parton was told 'gaudy' clothes would hurt her career. She doubled down.. as much a part of her empire's origin story as her legendary singing (more than 100 million records sold; the first female country singer to sell 1 million copies of an album). https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/fashion/2023/10/17/dolly-parton-rockstar-fashion/. Retrieved January 20, 2024. 
  4. Dolly Parton biography at All Music Guide[dead link]
  5. Segarra, Edward; Turner, Devarrick (March 3, 2025). Dolly Parton's husband, Carl Dean, dead at 82: 'Words can't do justice'. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2025/03/03/carl-thomas-dean-dead-dolly-parton-husband/81236650007/. Retrieved March 4, 2025. 
  6. Willman, Chris (4 March 2025). "Carl Dean, Dolly Parton's Husband, Dies at 82". Variety.com. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
  7. "Dolly Parton". Biography. Retrieved 2019-10-14.
  8. 8.0 8.1 Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. pp. 315–317. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.

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