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Dolly Parton got her start in the entertainment industry after making her debut at the Grand Ole Opry at the age of 13. Here is a look back at her career in music, film and philanthropy.
Born in January 1949, Dolly Parton made her debut at the Grand Ole Opry in 1959 at age 13 before moving to Nashville in 1960 to make it as a professional country singer.
Dolly Parton and Carl Thomas Dean got married in 1966.
Parton released her first solo album, “Hello, I’m Dolly,” in 1967, after which Porter Wagoner invited her onto “The Porter Wagoner Show.”
Parton continued her partnership with Wagner throughout the early 70s, and became an official member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1969.
Parton released her fifth studio album, “The Fairest of Them All,” in February 1970.
Parton released one of her most popular songs, “I Will Always Love You,” in 1974, which she wrote about the end of her partnership from Porter Wagoner.
Parton launched her own variety television show, “Dolly!” in 1976, which often featured many other famous singers.
Parton released the album, “Here You Come Again” in 1976, which spent five weeks at number one on Billboard’s country charts.
In 1978, Dolly Parton won her first Grammy Award for “Here You Come Again” and later won entertainer of the year at the CMA Awards.
Parton was nominated for another Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for best original song for “Travelin’ Thru” for the film “Transamerica.”
Parton made her feature film debut in 1980 in the hit comedy, “9-5,” alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. She also wrote the films title track, an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song, two Golden Globe nominations and two Grammy Award wins.
Parton also wrote the film’s title track, an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song, two Golden Globe nominations and two Grammy Award wins.
She received her another Golden Globe nomination in 1982 for her work in the movie “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.”
Parton partnered with Kenny Rogers in 1983, releasing their number 1 hit, “Islands In the Stream.”
Parton opened her own theme park, Dollywood, in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, in 1976.
Parton launched a variety television show, “Dolly” in 1987, which was a major ABC prime-time series with a large production budget.
Her new show featured a Christmas episode with puppets.
She also invited the Chippendales to appear on her show with her.
Parton made light of a 1987 tabloid story that she fell in love with a 300 lb wrestler, writing the song, “He’s Got a Headlock on my Heart..”
One of the many celebrity guests on her show included Bob Hope.
Parton won another Grammy Award in 1988 for best country performance by a duo or group for her work with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris.
In 1989, Parton starred in the successful film,”Steel Magnolias,” alongside Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine, Sally Fields and Daryl Hannah.
Parton released “Eagle When She Flies” in 1991, which went on to achieve platinum status.
Whitney Houston’s cover of “I Will Always Love You” spent 14 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 list, which benefitted her as a songwriter and introduced her songwriting skills to a different audience.
She also starred in “Straight Talk” in 1992, and wrote and performed much of the music for the film, including “Straight Talk,” “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” and “Blue Grace.”
While maintaining the responsibilities of running a theme park, she teamed up with Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette to release “Honky Tonk Angels.”
Parton started the Imagination Library in 1995, which provided young children with free books mailed directly to their homes, regardless of family income. She started the program in honor of her father, who couldn’t read.
By 2024, approximately 1 in every 7 U.S. children under age five was receiving a monthly Imagination Library book, with of 300 million books gifted by 2025.
1999 was a big year for Parton, as she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and released the critically acclaimed album, “The Grass Is Blue.”
Parton won her sixth Grammy Award in 2001 for “The Grass Is Blue” in the best bluegrass album, category.
Parton received both the National Medal of Arts and the Living Legend Award from the Library of Congress in 2004.
Parton received another Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nomination for best original song for her song, “Travelin’ Thru” for the film “Transamerica.”
Parton received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2006.
Parton appeared alongside her goddaughter, Miley Cyrus, in a 2007 episode of “Hannah Montana,” playing Aunt Dolly.
Parton was honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.
Parton and Rogers reunited in 2013, for “You Can’t Make Old Friends,” 30 years after “Islands In the Stream.”
Parton wowed the crowd when performing at Glastonbury in 2014.
Parton created the My People Fund in 2016 following wildfires in the Great Smoky Mountains, which ultimately provided about $9 million to affected families.
The singer received another Grammy and Golden Globe nomination for best original song in 2018 for “Girl in the Movies.”
Parton celebrated 50 years at the Grand Ole Opry in 2019.
Parton won a Grammy for “There Was Jesus” and her first Emmy for “Christmas on the Square” in 2021 at the age of 75.
Parton was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
Parton performed at the halftime show at the Dallas Cowboys’ Thanksgiving Day game in 2023, dressed as a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader.
After being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Parton released the album “Rockstar” in 2023 which featured, Chris Stapleton, Paul McCartney, Steven Tyler and others.
Parton was named the No. 1 country artist of all time by Billboard in 2024.
Parton sparked health concerns in 2025 when she postponed her Las Vegas residency citing health as the reason.
Parton died on August 25 at the age of 80.
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Dolly Parton dies at the age of 80: A look at her life through photos
Dolly Parton got her start in the entertainment industry after making her debut at the Grand Ole Opry at the age of 13. Here is a look back at her career in music, film and philanthropy.
Move Forward
- Dolly Parton dies at the age of 80: A look at her life through photos
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