Dolly Parton is a venerated country music singer, actress and philanthropist. Born in 1946, Parton rose to prominence for her singing and songwriting prowess in the 1960s and 1970s. She eventually went solo in 1974 after working with Porter Wagoner since 1967.
Parton is known for writing and recording such songs as “I Will Always Love You,” “Jolene” and “9 to 5,” among others. Parton also starred in the film “9 to 5” in 1980 alongside Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda.
In 2021, Parton debuted her perfume line and, in August 2024, her makeup line launched, featuring bedazzled lipsticks in four shades.
Parton is also a dedicated philanthropist, starting The Dolly Foundation in 1988, donating $1 million to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in 2017 and donating another $1 million in research efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Here, see photos of Parton throughout her life.
-
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2025
Image Credit: Getty Images Dolly Parton attends the opening of Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s new exhibit ‘Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker’ at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on May 19, 2025 in Nashville, Tenn.
-
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2024
Image Credit: Getty Images Dolly Parton speaks onstage during Kicking Off CMA Fest: A Special Conversation With Dolly Parton Hosted By Rachel Smith at Music City Center on June 6, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
-
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2023
Image Credit: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images Dolly Parton attends the Dolly Parton “Rockstar” Album Press Conference at the Four Seasons Hotel on June 29, 2023 in London.
-
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2022
Image Credit: Getty Images for ACM Dolly Parton speaks onstage during the the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards at Allegiant Stadium on March 07, 2022 in Las Vegas.
-
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2021
Image Credit: Getty Images Dolly Parton performs at the 2021 Kiss Breast Cancer Goodbye Concert at CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Oct. 24, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn.
-
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2019
Image Credit: Getty Images Dolly Parton attends the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 10, 2019 in Los Angeles.
-
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2018
Image Credit: Getty Images Dolly Parton attends the premiere of Netflix’s “Dumplin'” at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres on Dec. 6, 2018 in Hollywood, Calif.
-
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2017
Image Credit: Getty Images for ACM Dolly Parton accepts the Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award onstage during the 11th Annual ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium on Aug. 23, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn.
-
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2016
Image Credit: Getty Images Recipient of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award Dolly Parton poses backstage the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tenn.
-
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2015
Image Credit: Getty Images Dolly Parton performs at Pure & Simple Benefiting The Opry Trust Fund at Ryman Auditorium on Aug. 1, 2015 in Nashville, Tenn.
-
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2014
Image Credit: Getty Images Dolly Parton performs during a concert to benefit Dolly’s Imagination Library & Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation at The University of Tennessee’s Thompson-boling Arena on May 28, 2014 in Knoxville, Tenn.
-
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2012
Image Credit: Getty Images Dolly Parton attends the Premiere Of Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Joyful Noise” at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on Jan. 9, 2012 in Hollywood.
-
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2011
Image Credit: Getty Images Dolly Parton speaks onstage at the 22nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel on April 10, 2011 in Los Angeles.
-
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2010
Image Credit: Getty Images Dolly Parton performs onstage at the 2010 We’re All For The Hall benefit concert at the Bridgestone Arena on Oct. 5, 2010 in Nashville, Tenn.
-
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2009
Image Credit: Getty Images Dolly Parton attends the 2009 Tony Awards Meet the Nominees press reception at The Millennium Broadway Hotel on May 6, 2009 in New York City.
-
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2008
Image Credit: Getty Images Dolly Parton attends the “9 to 5: The Musical” press conference at The New 42nd Street Studios July 15, 2008 in New York City.
-
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2007
Image Credit: Getty Images Dolly Parton meets young schoolchildren at the Magna Science And Adventure Park on Dec. 5, 2007 in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England.
-
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2006
Image Credit: Getty Images Dolly Parton arrives at the 78th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre on March 5, 2006 in Hollywood.
-
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2005
Image Credit: Getty Images Dolly Parton performs at the 39th Annual Country Music Association Awards at Madison Square Garden Nov. 15, 2005 in New York City.
-
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2004
Image Credit: Getty Images Dolly Parton poses backstage during the MTV Networks UpFront at the MSG – The Paramount Theater May 5, 2004 in New York City.
-
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2003
Image Credit: Getty Images Dolly Parton watches the festivities during the retro premiere of the movie “9 to 5” for the 8th Annual Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention gala June 9, 2003 in Atlanta, Ga.
-
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 2002
Image Credit: Getty Images Dolly Parton performs at the House of Blues on August 7, 2002 in West Hollywood.
-
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 1990
Image Credit: Getty Images Dolly Parton performs at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Oct. 29, 1990.
-
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 1980
Image Credit: Getty Images Dolly Parton performs onstage in 1980 in Universal City, Calif.
-
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 1977
Image Credit: Getty Images Dolly Parton in London after performing at the King’s Theatre in Glasgow at a Scottish Royal Jubilee Television Special in 1977.
-
Dolly Parton Through the Years: 1965
Image Credit: Michael Ochs Archives Dolly Parton poses for a portrait in 1965 in Nashville, Tenn.