Dolly Rebecca Parton
January 19, 1946 – August 25, 2026
Few artists have left as lasting a mark on American culture as Dolly Parton. Born in rural Tennessee and raised in a large, poor family, Parton turned her love of music and storytelling into a remarkable career as a singer, songwriter, actress, author, and businesswoman. From country classics like “Jolene” and “9 to 5” to her work in film and television, she has continually reinvented herself while staying true to her roots. Along the way, Parton has become much more than a music star: she is a beloved cultural icon known for her generosity, humor, business savvy, and commitment to helping others, making her one of the most influential and enduring figures in American entertainment.
Dolly was born in a one-room cabin in Pittman Center, Tennessee in Sevier County, one of twelve children. She recalled that growing up, she heard music everywhere: in the chirping of cicadas, the songs of birds, the hammering of the local blacksmith. Everything was music. The first song she ever wrote was about a doll that her mother made for her out of corn husks. At the age of 10, she began performing on The Cas Walker Show on both radio and television. At 13, she recorded her first single called “Puppy Love” and was invited to perform at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Upon graduating high school, she moved to Nashville.
She very quickly established herself as a songwriter, composing hits first for other artists and then for herself. When she released her debut album Hello,I’m Dolly, three of the songs included on it had already been big hits for other artists. She was asked to costar on Porter Wagoner’s nationally syndicated variety show, propelling her to rapid stardom. The pair recorded thirteen albums together and scored a series of Top 10 hits. Over the decades, Parton composed thousands of songs, and scored iconic hits with songs like “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” “Traveling Man,” “Joshua,” “Here You Come Again,” “Why'd You Come in Here Lookin' Like That,” “Yellow Roses,” “Islands in the Stream” (her duet with Kenny Rogers), and one of the biggest hits of her career, “I Will Always Love You”(which had a second life as a chart-topper when it was covered by Whitney Houston for the film The Bodyguard).
You can listen to Dolly’s hits for free with your library card on Freegal, opens a new window:
In 1980, Parton made the jump to the big screen when she was asked by Jane Fonda to costar in the film 9 to 5, for which she also wrote the iconic theme song. After that, she starred in films such as Steel Magnolias, Rhinestone, Straight Talk, and Joyful Noise.
Most important was her work as a humanitarian. She founded the Imagination Library, which has supplied over 300 million books to pre-K kids around the world. She began the initiative in honor of her father, who was a farmer and construction worker who never learned to read or write. You can watch a documentary about the Imagination Library for free with your library card on Kanopy:, opens a new window
When the Great Smoky Mountains area was ravaged by wildfires, Parton established a charity that supplied 900 families who were displaced by the tragedy with $10,000 each to reestablish their lives and their homes.
If you would like to learn more about Dolly Parton, FulcoLibrary has a wealth of books written by or about Dolly, including a cookbook written with her sister Rachel and books for children. You can a broad selection here:
Dolly Parton, considered the Queen of Country Music, has had hit records and iconic movie roles in 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias. She's won Grammys Awards and championed reading with her Imagination Library. These books for all ages celebrate her life as a songwriter, singer, actor, cook, and humanitarian.
Add a comment to: Remembering Dolly