Dolly Rebecca Parton, mainly known for her work as a country musician is also a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, actress, author, businesswoman, and humanitarian.
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Dolly Parton: Early Life
Dolly Parton, as she is popularly known was born on January 19, 1946 (age 74 years), in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, United States. She was the fourth of 12 children. Her siblings are, Willadeene, David, Denver, Bobby, Stella, Cassie, Randy, Larry, Floyd, Frieda and Rachel
Dolly Parton: Career
Dolly first developed an interest in music through her mother, who sang and played guitar. She also performed in church when growing up.
After writing songs for other singers for some time, Dolly decided to become a singer. Over the years, she has released numerous albums including, Dumplin’, Just Because I’m a Woman, Trio, Little Sparrow, etc.
She has also stared and produced movies and TV shows such as Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love
Dolly Parton: Marriage
Parton got married to Thomas Dean on May 30, 1966, in Ringgold, Georgia. Thomas, who is currently retired from his road construction business has been very successful in maintaining his privacy although his wife is a public figure. Thomas rarely accompanies his wife Parton, to public events and according to her, he has only seen her perform once.
Parton’s marriage name is ‘Dolly Parton Dean.’ Although she does not use her husband name ‘Dean’ professionally, she has confirmed on many occasions that she uses it in her passport and sometimes in signing contracts.
On their 50th wedding anniversary, Parton and her husband renewed their vows. Parton and Thomas has no children of their own. This is due to the fact that she underwent a hysterectomy at an early age. She and her husband however helped raised most of her younger siblings. She is also the godmother of singer-songwriter Miley Cyrus.
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Dolly Parton: Recent work
Dolly Parton produced a made for TV film called “Coat of Many Colors” which is based on Parton’s song of the same name. The film features narration by her and was aired on NBC in December 2015.
In June 2018, Dolly Parton announced an eight-part Netflix series Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings” which featured her music career. It was aired in November 2019. Parton was its executive producer and co-star.
Surprise!
Here's an early look at your favorite bedazzled guardian angel @DollyParton singing a brand new musical number from the upcoming DOLLY PARTON'S CHRISTMAS ON THE SQUARE (dropping November 22 on Netflix) pic.twitter.com/GM5WV4QdYY
— Netflix Tudum (@NetflixTudum) November 18, 2020
Dolly Parton: Public image
Dolly Parton refused numerous offers from Playboy magazine to pose nude. She however appeared on the cover of the October 1978 issue of the magazine wearing a Playboy bunny outfit, with ears’ when she was 32. She has also expressed her interest to appear once again when she turns 75 and play boy seem s to be on board.
It is also of public knowledge that Parton has undergone considerable plastic surgery. In 2003 on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Parton admitted that cosmetic surgery was imperative in keeping up with her famous image. She jokingly said, “It takes a lot of money to look this cheap.”
Concerning future cosmetic surgeries, Parton said, “If I see something sagging, bagging or dragging, I’ll get it nipped, tucked or sucked.”
Dolly Parton: Awards and honors
Parton is currently one of the most-honored female country performers of all time. She has earned 25 certificates from ‘The Record Industry Association of America.’ These certifications include Gold Record, Platinum Record or Multi-Platinum Record.
Some of her honors and awards include the following;
- Nine Grammy Awards (including 2011 Lifetime Achievement Grammy) (49 nominations)
2. Three American Music Awards (18 nominations).
3. Ten Country Music Association (42 nominations).
4. Seven Academies of Country Music (39 nominations).
5. Entertainer of the year 1978 (Country Music Association’s highest honor), making her one of only six female artists (including Reba McEntire, Barbara Mandrell, Shania Twain, Loretta Lynn, and Taylor Swift), to ever win.
6. A bronze sculpture on the courthouse lawn in Sevierville which she refers to as “the greatest honor”.
7. Inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1969.
8. Ms. Magazine’s Women of the Year in 1986.
9. Honorary doctorate degree from Carson-Newman College (Jefferson City, Tennessee) in 1990.
10. A newly discovered species of fungi, “Japewiella dollypartoniana” in the Southern Appalachians was named after her in 2015.
11. Guinness Book of World Records (2018). Female Artist with songs appearing on TOP 20 Charts and most Hits on Billboards in most Decades.
Halls of Fame Inductions
Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (1986)
Small Town of America Hall of Fame (1988)
East Tennessee Hall of Fame (1988)
Country Music Hall of Fame (1999)
Songwriters Hall of Fame (2001)
Junior Achievement of East Tennessee Business Hall of Fame (2003)
The Americana Highway Hall of Fame (2006)
Grammy Hall of Fame – “I Will Always Love You – 1974 Recording” (2007)
Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame – Songwriter Category (2008)
Gospel Music Hall of Fame (2009)
Music City Walk of Fame (2009)
Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame (2010)
Grammy Hall of Fame – “Jolene – 1974 Recording” (2014)
The National Hall of Fame for Mountain Artisans (2014)
The Happiness Hall of Fame (2016)
East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame (2019)
Dolly Parton Net Worth
As of 2020, it is estimated that Dolly Parton has a net worth of $500 million. She earned this amount through her successful country music career, acting, endorsement deals, business ventures, etc.
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