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We take a look back on Dolly Parton’s life and remarkable career as she celebrates her 80th birthday, from the wealthy parent she turned down to her legendary songwriting prowess.
Everything you need to know about Dolly Parton’s life and career
- Dolly Parton is a songwriter, actress, philanthropist, businesswoman and country music legend. She was born on January 19, 1946, in Sevierville, Tennessee, in the Great Smoky Mountains and is celebrating her 80th birthday this year.
- Parton was one of 12 children raised in a very săld, close-knit family. Without running water or electricity, she grew up in a one-room cabin. Her mother sang ballads, her uncle fiddled, and her family lived on music. At age 5, Dolly began making music and TV appearances on her neighborhood’s radio and television when she was five.
- She immediately relocated to Nashville the day after graduating from high school to pursue music. She began writing songs for other musicians later. Her big break came in the late 1960s when she co-starred with Porter Wagoner on his television program. Although they were successful together, their professional breakup was painful (She later wrote about leaving that partnership in “I Will Always Love You” rather than “Romantic Breakup).
- Dolly Parton has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making her one of the most popular songwriters ever. She has more than 25 country hits and has written more than 3, 000 songs. Additionally, she has received more than 50 Grammy nominations.
- Jolene, Coat of Many Colors, I Will Always Love You, and Here You Come Again are all well-known Dolly Parton songs. She is well known for her emotional storytelling, as well as her ability to juggle country, pop, gospel, and bluegrass.
- Dolly Parton turned down Elvis Presley as part of her songwriting career. In the early 1970s, Dolly had just written “I Will Always Love You.” At the time, she was still rising to major stardom, and the song was already a hit in the country world. Elvis Presley wanted to record it at the time and despite Dolly saying she was honoured when Elvis’s team reached out, she refused in the end. This is because Elvis’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker, had a standard requirement: Elvis would record the song only if he received half the publishing rights. For Dolly, this song was deeply personal. Despite knowing how life-changing an Elvis recording could be, Dolly said no as she had promised herself she would never give away her songwriting. Dolly’s decision turned out to be one of the most important of her career. Whitney Houston recorded “I Will Always Love You” in 1992 for The Bodyguard and it became one of the best-selling singles of all time. Dolly earned tens of millions of dollars from publishing.
- In the late 1970s and 1980s, Dolly was successful in entering Hollywood. Notable films include 9 to 5 (1980), Steel Magnolias (1989) and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982). She received praise for her acting, particularly for bringing warmth, humor, and sincerity to her roles.
- The star is also a savvy businesswoman. She is the founder of Dollywood, a major theme park in Tennessee. Dollywood is one of the largest employers in the state and Dolly has repeatedly reinvested profits into her home region. Her brand extends to music, film, publishing, merchandise, and tourism.
- One of her legacy’s most admired aspects is her philanthropy. In 1995, she founded Imagination Library, which offers free books to children as they grow up. More than 200 million books have been distributed worldwide thanks to the organization, which was inspired by her father, who was unable to read. Additionally, Dolly supports education, disaster relief, and healthcare initiatives by giving $1 million (£750, 000) to COVID-19 vaccine research.
- Before he passed away on March 3, 2025, at the age of 82, Dolly was married to Carl Dean for almost 60 years. Although no definitive cause was initially identified, subsequent reports indicated that he had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease for a number of years and had “suffered a great deal” before passing away. Dolly says she didn’t have children because she did, which gave her the freedom to concentrate on raising the children of millions of people. She frequently discusses faith, humility, and kindness and is incredibly religious.
- The actress is known for her glamorous makeup, sparkles, and big hair. She frequently makes fun of her appearance, saying, “It takes a lot of money to look this cheap.” While avoiding partisan politics, she speaks out about kindness, inclusion, and self-acceptance.
Read more Dolly Parton’s 80th birthday celebrations as fans left concerned about why she skipped party
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