Dolly Parton, a diamond in a world full of rhinestones, passed peacefully in Nashville on Aug. 25, “after a brief battle with cancer,” according to her publicist. She was 80 years old and left behind one of the most successful careers in country music history. While her expansive discography is enough to warrant an impressive legacy, reducing Dolly Parton to her hit records and sparkly wardrobe would miss what made her so beloved.
WHO WAS DOLLY Parton?
Born Dolly Rebecca Parton on Jan. 19, 1946, in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, Parton described her beginnings as humble. She grew up in a two-room cabin with her parents and 11 siblings. Without running water or electricity, her family would catch fireflies in jars to light up the home. She credited her childhood and her parents with heavily shaping her career, reflecting fondly on her time in their rural Tennessee town.
For many, Parton’s passing felt less like the loss of a distant celebrity and more like the loss of a figure integral to their daily lives. Why is it that so many felt so gutted by her death? Over the years, Parton acted as a unifying force, prioritizing love and individuality, a message that resonated deeply with millions. All while overcoming the obstacles of poverty and staying herself unapologetically.
DOLLY’S ROAD TO FAME
The 11-time Grammy winner paved the way for female artists in country music, topping charts while refusing to be anything but the rhinestone-studded star she was born to be. In her lifetime, Parton wrote over 3,000 songs, released 70 studio albums, and had 25 No. 1 country hits, making her one of the most decorated stars in country music, with a career as colossal as the personality behind it.
While building her country music career, Parton also began acting, bringing to life roles in films such as 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias. She appeared in 12 films and made over 400 television appearances, including over 200 on The Porter Wagoner Show.
Then in 1986, Parton became a co-owner of Silver Dollar City, Tennessee, helping transform it into the Dollywood we know and love. She sought out the park to provide jobs and promote the culture of the Smoky Mountains she called home, reflecting both her values and her Appalachian heritage. The park became a massive success, creating 23,000 regional jobs and bringing in 4 million visitors annually, generating $432 million in state and local taxes. While the park has grown exponentially, its soul remains unchanged.
MORE THAN A STAR
From her musical career to her philosophies on life, Parton’s childhood influenced everything. She went on to create the Imagination Library in 1995 to honor her father, who could not read or write. The program mails free books to children from birth to age five, regardless of their family’s income. In total, 304,539,509 books have been gifted internationally since its establishment.
Outside of the Imagination Library, Parton continued her philanthropic efforts, donating millions to the Mountain Ways Foundation after Hurricane Helene devastated parts of East Tennessee. She promised to always take care of her “mountain people” and always did. Her generosity extended outside of Tennessee state lines as well. In 2020, she donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University for coronavirus vaccine research. That donation helped fund research that contributed to life-saving scientific breakthroughs, ultimately impacting millions of people.
Parton’s compassion didn’t stop there. Her sister reported that in her final months, Parton offered to try experimental drugs and treatments so that even if she couldn’t be saved, future patients could be. There was little question about the kind of person Parton was. She once said, “If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain,” and was always willing to put up with the rain so others could see rainbows.
WHAT NOW?
Dolly Parton may be gone, but her dreams are not. According to her manager, she worked with a team to create a project roadmap that would continue her projects long after her passing. Among the projects she was working on are Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum in Dolly’s Songteller Hotel, opening on Sept. 29, and “Dolly: A True Original Musical” on Broadway, set to begin on Dec. 7.
While much of what Parton loved will live on, one of her greatest loves had gone before her. In her words, “…one of God’s greatest gifts was to give me Carl Dean.” After over 60 years together and one apart, Dolly and Carl can finally rest beside one another.