Country music legend Dolly Parton dies

Dolly Parton, the irrepressible country superstar from the
Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, has died aged 80 after an extraordinary
60-year career spanning music, acting, business and philanthropy

Jan 19, 1946: Dolly Rebecca
Parton born in Pittman Center,
Tennessee, fourth of 12 children

1950s: Writes first song, “Little
Tiny Tasseltop”, aged six, with
formative years surrounded
by musical family

1959: Performs with uncle 
Bill Owens at Nashville’s Grand Ole
Opry, and receives three encores

1964: Moves to Nashville to
launch singing career

1966: Marries Carl Dean. Couple
remain together until his death in 2025

1967: Stars with Porter Wagoner
on TV – pair became one of country
music’s most popular duos, over
seven-year partnership (below)

1969: Writes “Coat of Many
Colors”, autobiographical tale of
growing up poor, but rich with love

1971: “Joshua” becomes first No.1

1970s: Pens hits “I Will Always
Love You” and “Jolene” before
winning first Grammy Award for
“Here You Come Again” in 1979

1980: Movie debut in 9 to 5
alongside Jane Fonda. Theme song
propels her to stardom and later
wins two Grammys

1980s: Further acting roles include
Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,
Rhinestone and Steel Magnolias

1986: Opens Dollywood park

1992: Whitney Houston’s
cover of “I Will Always Love You”
becomes global phenomenon

1995: Launches Imagination
Library literacy drive, which now
distributes millions of books annually

2007: Receives Johnny Mercer
Award, the Songwriters Hall of
Fame’s highest honour

2020: Donates $1m to help fund
Moderna Covid-19 vaccine

2022: Inducted into
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

2025: Husband Carl Dean dies

Aug 25, 2026: Dies at age of 80

Sources: BBC, Reuters
Pictures: Getty Images
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