Dolly Parton
A Philanthropist Who Makes Beautiful Music
“I feel like my whole life’s work is about lifting people up, whether it’s through music or helping kids read.”
Dolly Parton
Underneath a carefully curated image lies incredible business acumen, and a big bountiful heart. Dolly Parton has made a tremendous impact around the world not only through her music and films, but also through her generosity and philanthropy, including donating over 285 million books to children.
Born in a tiny cabin in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains, Dolly Rebecca Parton was the fourth of twelve children in a poor sharecropping family. Steeped in music from her mother singing Appalachian folk songs, she grew up without electricity and running water. Her early years reflected her ability to dream and create, composing her first songs before she could read or write. Performing on the Cass Walker radio show at age 9, followed by tv appearances, Dolly Parton enthusiatically pursued her dream. Encouraged by her uncle, she left for Nashville right after high school graduation, with her guitar and a passion for making music. As Dolly Parton once urged each of us to do: “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.”
Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner are shown together here.
Ms. Parton’s breakthrough came in 1967 when she joined The Porter Wagoner Show, showcasing her talents nationally. While her partnership with Wagoner landed six country hits in the top 10, they parted ways and she became a solo artist. Two of her biggest hits “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You” demonstrated her talent for penning songs that touched the heart and had wide popular appeal. They also illustrated her incredible business acumen, shown in the sale of her song “I Will Always Love You.” Hauntingly poignant, the song’s melody touched Elvis Presley and he wanted to buy it. But his manager, Colonel Walker, insisted on Ms. Parton giving up half the publishing rights and she wisely, tearfully, refused. That proved to be a brilliant decision when Whitney Houston bought it and sold over 20 million copies.
Dolly is shown here with her 9-5 castmates Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda.
Having dealt with sexism in country music for years, Ms. Parton confronted it head-on, acting in films like 9 to 5. Her theme song received an Oscar nomination. Her film career continued with Steel Magnolias, Rhinestone and Joyful Noise. Always looking to diversify what she was engaged in, she founded Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, a highly popular theme park that brought revenue and tourists to her home state. She has been a prolific songwriter and singer, having penned over 3,000 songs. And yet Ms. Parton remains humble. Initially declining a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nomination because she didn’t feel she deserved it, she has won 10 Grammy awards and been nominated 55 times.
One of the qualities that makes Dolly Parton so popular is her willingness to share vulnerably, candidly telling stories about growing up in poverty. Her father’s inability to read and write greatly impacted her. That’s why she has done so much in the field of literacy, through her Dollywood Foundation and Imagination Library. “… my Daddy. He was the smartest man I have ever known but I know in my heart his inability to read probably kept him from fulfilling all of his dreams.” She believes strongly that “The seeds of dreams are often found in books and the seeds you can help plant in your community grow across the world.”
An incredibly generous philanthropist, Dolly Parton has donated to HIV/AIDS research as well as disaster relief. In 2020, she donated $1 million to help fund COVID-19 vaccine research. The Dollywood Foundation focuses on education in Tennessee and provides scholarships to help children thrive in school. Because of her philanthropy, the school dropout rate decreased from 30% to 6% in Sevier County, Tennessee. And her environmental philanthropy has helped preserve eagles. Dollywood partnered with the American Eagle Foundation to provide one of the largest eagle sanctuaries in the U.S. Ms. Parton is also a long time supporter of LGBQT+rights, quoted in Billboard saying, “I think everybody should be allowed to be who they are, and to love who they love.”
Dolly Parton’s philanthropy has earned her accolades: a Kennedy Center honoree under President George Bush, and the 2022 Bezos Courage and Civility Award, which granted her $100 million to further her causes. In 2025, she received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, an honorary Oscar honoring those whose humanitarian efforts bring credit to the motion picture industry by promoting human welfare and addressing inequities. Dolly Parton truly understands the power of community, where success is measured by how many people you help, not how much money you make. “I believe in giving back. If you’ve been given a lot, you’ve got to share it.”
Dolly Parton has known many challenges in her life. Most recently, in March 2025, her beloved husband for nearly 60 years, Carl Thomas Dean, passed away. Despite her grief, the same sense of purpose that has fueled her career keeps her going. She released a song as a tribute to him:“If You Hadn’t Been There.” Her resilience and faith guide her through events like the 40th celebration of Dollywood, where she reflected on her need to find joy amidst sorrow. In July 2025, she said “I miss him somethin’ fierce, but I’ve learned you don’t quit when life hurts – you build somethin’ beautiful from it.
Dolly Parton is clearly a true global changemaker, whose loving heart, generous soul and savvy business mind have propelled her forward as one of the most beloved female entertainers in our time. Her global impact as a singer, songwriter, theme park founder, actress, literacy advocate, philanthropist and business leader are profound, especially when coupled with her joyful, vivacious spirit. Dolly Parton is a model of how one individual can make a huge difference, touching humanity in dozens of lasting ways.
Throughout her life, Dolly Parton has been an advocate for:
- education
- literacy
- LGBQT rights
- women’s rights
Lessons from Dolly Parton’s Life:
• Embrace your own uniqueness. Dolly Parton crafted her own unique image and identity and never apologizes for it. Even when criticized, she declared, “I’m not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I’m not dumb… and I also know I’m not blonde.” Her courage and willingness to celebrate her uniqueness helped her thrive in a male-dominated industry. Dolly Parton’s form of authenticity invites others to fully be themselves.
• Your humble beginnings need not define you. Dolly Parton rose from abject poverty and yet went on to be a global success. Her deeply rooted sense of purpose and passion for music led to her departure from her family home and provided a springboard for her success. “We were dirt poor. But we didn’t know it. We had love, we had faith, and we had music.”
• Donate with purpose. Ms. Parton’s generosity and philanthropy are clearly intentional. Inspired by her father’s inability to read, she has gifted millions of children with books. “If you can read, you can find books on anything you want.” Her impact continues because she was purposeful in her giving back.
Action Steps You Can Take:
Like Oprah Winfrey, you can be a voice for those who have been silenced.
- What is unique about you? How can you celebrate it?
- How has your background impacted your life? What lessons did you learn from it? How can you share those lessons with others?
- What causes are you passionate about? How could you do fundraising to support them?
Did this article inspire you? Please join our community and subscribe here. Only $50 per year for 52 issues.