The amazing Dolly
One of the most famous musicians in the world turned 75 this month. But if you think Dolly Parton is slowing down, think again!
Early life
Dolly Parton was born
Jan. 19, 1946, in Tennessee. Her father was a farmer and construction worker, and her mother stayed home caring for Dolly and her 11 siblings. The family didn’t have much money, so they relied on stories and music to keep themselves entertained. Little Dolly also sang in church and got enough attention to sing on local radio and TV. As soon as she graduated from high school, she moved to Nashville to become a country singer, like she’d always dreamed.
Singer and songwriter
Parton wasn’t just a singer. She wrote songs, too! Some of her earliest hits are still popular today, like “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You.” Some of her songs were so wellliked that they became what’s called “crossover” hits — songs that were hits not only for country music fans but those who liked other types of music as well.
She also became a movie star and has appeared in many movies and TV shows. You might have even heard her voice in an episode of
“The Magic School Bus.”
Personal life
Parton has been married more than 50 years to a man named Carl Dean. He’s a retired businessman and not interested in being famous, so he’s not out in public with his wife very often. They don’t have any children, but they have helped raise some nieces and nephews.
She still lives in Tennessee and loves her home state dearly. Her home is just outside of Nashville, and she owns an amusement park in the Great Smoky Mountains (near where she grew up) called Dollywood. Every so often, she shows up to sing there!
Doing good
Parton has been a very successful musician, actress and businesswoman. All this success has earned her a lot of money, but she uses it to help others whenever she can. She donated $1 million toward research that helped produce one of the vaccines for COVID-19. She also has a program called Imagination Library that sends books to children from the time they are babies until kindergarten.