Never judge a book by its cover — Dolly Parton was a true testament to this idiom.
She went by many nicknames: “The Queen of Country,” “Miss Dolly P,” and even “The Iron Butterfly,” a nod to her “tireless work ethic and cunning business acumen,” according to American Songwriter. While many knew her as a bold, glitz-and-glam diva with sky-high blonde hair, sparkling rhinestones, and an unapologetic country style, Dolly Parton was also a philanthropist who emphasized the importance of literature and education. The singer-songwriter passed away on Aug. 25 at the age of 80, but the world will remember her as an icon in every sense of the word.
Born Jan. 19, 1946, in Sevier County, Tennessee, she was one of twelve children in a one-bedroom home without electricity or indoor plumbing, according to Rolling Stone. Her parents recognized her musical talent early on, and Dolly played and sang simple songs on her guitar. As she grew older, her uncle, Bill Owens, also an accredited songwriter, began to mentor her, which would pay off when Dolly earned a spot singing on local radio and TV shows, Music Row notes.
According to DollyParton.com, as she matured into early adulthood, she left the mountains of Sevier County and traveled west to Nashville, the musical heart of Tennessee. She met her husband, Carl Dean, here, and the move launched her career; in 1965, Dolly signed her first record deal with Monument Records and later Combine Music.
While her early contract pieces put her on the map in Nashville, Dolly was never the type to stay boxed into just one lane. In the late ’70s and ’80s, she made a massive pivot from a standard country singer to a self-made mogul, using her song catalog as major business leverage.
Her fierce independent streak eventually exploded into the mainstream with her 1980 crossover hit “9 to 5.” Instead of just being another catchy radio track, it became a massive cultural moment, tackling workplace inequality and the everyday grind of the working class. She gained new stardom by touring the world as an entertainer and moving into film, landing iconic roles in Steel Magnolias, Rhinestone, Joyful Noise, and more.
According to CBS News, “9 to 5” was one of approximately 3,000 songs she composed over her lifetime, from country to gospel to bluegrass.
“My first impression of Dolly Parton was finding out that she was Miley Cyrus’s godmother! I love Miley Cyrus, so I kind of went on a deep dive into her music, even though I’m not the biggest country fan.” Christina Vega, 20, says. “I love her rendition of ‘I Will Always Love You,’ even though I heard Whitney’s version first.” Adding, “I think one of the things that made Dolly Parton so great was her willingness to stand alongside and fight for minorities.”
She also supported disaster relief efforts, medical research, and youth literacy programs, donating millions of dollars to each cause, according to People. In 1995, Parton created the Imagination Library, which has donated over 300 million free books to children worldwide.
“I know with the Imagination Library, tons of children, who wouldn’t have otherwise gotten the opportunity to receive books on a monthly basis, are now receiving quality, good literary options just based off the kindness of this woman,” Bonnie Ogunrinola, 19, says. “And I just think that through her, she should be remembered for her impact that she had, and knowing that there’s a resource like the library that she created for young readers.”
Beyond her philanthropy, Dolly was also a business mogul, building an empire of enterprises that grew into several lines of baking goods, cosmetics, jewelry, frozen foods, coffee, wine, hotels, and more.
According to her website, she won 11 Grammy Awards and received 54 nominations, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. Dolly’s undeniable mark on Country music shaped the sounds and stories we hear today. In 2024, Billboard named her the #1 Country Music Artist of All Time.
Dolly’s career was legendary. She was not only a once-in-a-generation talent, but her empathy and kindness were felt in waves.
“It’s not often that someone from that era, especially a white person from the Deep South, is such an activist,” Vega says. “She has always supported Black and Queer artists, and as someone who falls into both categories, I think it’s so important to have icons that are ‘safe’ for us.”
Her life, music, and philanthropy is honored accross the country today, Sept. 25, a nod to her hit song “9 to 5.” As the world celebrates her legacy, the global feeling of gratitude mirrors the same sentiment she shared with us for decades: she will always be deeply, universally loved.
