Dolly Rebecca Parton, born on January 19, 1946, in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, is a multifaceted American artist known for her extensive contributions to music, film, and philanthropy. She is celebrated primarily for her impact on country music but has also made significant strides in other areas.
Career in Music
Dolly Parton’s career in music spans over five decades, during which she has become one of the most honored female country performers of all time. Some of her notable achievements include:
- Chart Success: Parton has had 25 songs reach №1 on the Billboard country music charts, a record she shares with Reba McEntire. She also holds the record for the most Top 10 country albums (42) and has charted 110 singles over the past 40 years.
- Songwriting: She has written over 3,000 songs, including iconic hits like “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You,” and “9 to 5.”
- Album Sales: Parton has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling female artists of all time.
Awards and Honors
Dolly Parton’s contributions to music and entertainment have been recognized with numerous awards:
- Grammy Awards: She has won 11 Grammy Awards and received 54 nominations, the second-most for any female artist.
- Country Music Association (CMA): She has won 10 CMA Awards, including the prestigious Entertainer of the Year award in 1978.
- American Music Awards: Parton has won 3 American Music Awards out of 18 nominations.
- Academy of Country Music: She has earned 7 awards and 39 nominations.
- Hollywood Walk of Fame: She received her first star in 1984 and a second star in 2018.
Acting Career
Parton has also made a name for herself in Hollywood, starring in several successful films:
- 9 to 5 (1980)
- The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982)
- Steel Magnolias (1989)
Her performances have earned her nominations for two Academy Awards and a Tony Award.
Business Ventures
Dolly Parton is a savvy businesswoman with several successful ventures:
- Dollywood: She co-owns The Dollywood Company, which operates the Dollywood theme park, dinner theaters, a waterpark, and other attractions in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
- Sandollar Productions: She co-owned this film and television production company.
Philanthropy
Parton’s philanthropic efforts are as notable as her artistic achievements:
- Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library: This literacy program mails free books to children from birth until they start school. It has distributed over 100 million books and was honored by the U.S. Library of Congress in 2018.
- COVID-19 Research: She donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to help fund research for a COVID-19 vaccine.
Personal Life
Dolly Parton grew up in a large, poor family in rural Appalachia. She was the fourth of 12 children and began performing at a young age. She moved to Nashville the day after graduating high school to pursue a career in music. Parton has been married to Carl Dean since 1966, and they have no children.
Early Life and Family
Dolly Rebecca Parton was born on January 19, 1946, in Locust Ridge, Tennessee. She grew up in a large, poor farming family as the fourth of 12 children. Her parents were Robert Lee Parton, a sharecropper and farmer, and Avie Lee Caroline. Parton’s family struggled financially, with Dolly describing them as “dirt poor.”
Music played a significant role in Parton’s early life. Her mother, who sang and played guitar, provided her first exposure to music. Parton also learned about music through performing in church. She began writing songs before she could read and received her first guitar from a relative.
Marriage to Carl Dean
Dolly Parton met Carl Dean on her first day in Nashville in 1964, where she had moved to pursue her music career. They married on May 30, 1966, and have been together for over 50 years. Despite Parton’s fame, Dean has largely stayed out of the public eye, preferring a private life. Parton has described their relationship as strong, saying, “If I had it to do all over, I’d do it all over again.”
Career and Personal Choices
While Parton grew up in a large family, she and Dean chose not to have children of their own. Instead, Parton has focused on her career and philanthropic efforts, including her Imagination Library charity, which has distributed millions of free books to children.
Parton has managed to balance her high-profile career with a relatively private personal life. She and Dean enjoy simple activities together, such as taking trips in their camper or going to their lake house. Despite her fame, Parton has maintained a down-to-earth approach to her personal life, rooted in her humble beginnings in rural Appalachia.
Legacy
Dolly Parton’s legacy is multifaceted, encompassing her achievements in music, film, business, and philanthropy. She continues to be an influential figure in the entertainment industry and a beloved cultural icon.
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