Remembering Dolly Parton

Looking back on late icon Dolly Parton’s musical career, signature glam and lifelong philanthropy

When Dolly Parton, 80, passed away on Aug. 25, the world lost a beloved singer, songwriter, actress, businesswoman and philanthropist. Her musical career spanned nearly six decades, and she produced some of the most well known hits of the century. Songs like “I Will Always Love You,” “Jolene” and “Coat of Many Colors” have become instantly recognizable classics, making it clear that Parton remains not only one of the most successful and acclaimed female country singers of all time, but also an enduring icon in mainstream culture.

Parton’s musical achievements cannot be overstated. She was a prolific songwriter who released 49 studio albums, the first being “Hello, I’m Dolly” (1967), which successfully introduced her to country audiences and launched her as a rising star.

Country music was a key part of Parton’s career and identity as a public figure, but not the only genre that she explored. Parton wrote for many different musical genres, including pop, gospel and bluegrass, even venturing into rock for her final studio album “Rockstar” (2023). Her willingness to take inspiration from different genres of music contributed to her widespread popularity and appeal.

Parton also made several forays into acting, with her first appearance in film being “9 to 5” (1980), for which she also wrote the classic theme song of the same name. Parton also starred in her own variety television shows, “Dolly!” (1976) and “Dolly” (1987), as well as films ranging from “Steel Magnolias” (1989) to “Gnomeo and Juliet” (2011). Despite this success, it could be argued that Parton’s iconic look was not made famous by her on-screen appearances, but by the sheer charisma and charm that she exuded in her life.

Parton was beloved for her candor and unapologetic authenticity regarding her appearance and fame. She was known for joking that “it takes a lot of money to look this cheap,” referring to her signature blonde hair, hyperfeminine makeup and country glam style of dress. Parton stated in one interview that she “patterned her look after the town tramp,” explaining that she wanted her larger-than-life appearance to match her outgoing personality.

Parton demonstrated her generosity and care for her community with a lifetime of philanthropic contributions. One of her most notable achievements includes the Dollywood Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 1988 that aims to support educational opportunities for children in Parton’s home county of Sevier, Tennessee. Parton also founded the Imagination Library in 1995, a project that promotes early childhood literacy by mailing one book per month to participating children from birth until they enter kindergarten.

Parton also raised funds for numerous health care and medical causes, including a $1 million donation to Vanderbilt University to support research for a COVID-19 vaccine. She also donated millions to disaster relief efforts, notably in the aftermath of the Great Smoky Mountain wildfires in 2016 as well as Hurricane Helene in 2024.

Parton used her fame and voice as a beloved public figure to promote acceptance and inclusion. Though she often declined to take concrete stances on partisan politics, Parton was a lifelong ally of the LGBTQ+ community, speaking out in favor of marriage equality in 2009 and against Tennessee’s bans on gender-affirming care in 2023.

Bringing people together was one of Parton’s principal values. She often explained her philanthropy through the lens of supporting and uplifting her home and community, making it clear why her community aid program for victims of the 2016 Great Smoky Mountain fires was called the “My People Fund” — in troubling situations, she focused on the human experience.

Parton’s dazzling musical career, public image, advocacy and lifelong philanthropy serve as a testament to the larger-than-life legacy that she left behind. Though Parton’s death was a great loss for her community and the wider public, all that she gave to others remains an enduring gift for the many who will remember her.

Written by: Julie Huang — arts@theaggie.org