Dolly Parton: Queen of Country Music Dies at 80

Dolly Parton was an American singer-songwriter, actress and philanthropist, known as the "Queen of Country." Born on January 19, 1946, in a one-room cabin in Pittman Center, Tennessee, she was the fourth of twelve children and began writing songs at age seven.

Parton wrote more than 3,000 songs, including "Jolene," "9 to 5" and "I Will Always Love You," which became a worldwide smash for Whitney Houston. She had 25 No. 1 country singles, a record 44 top-10 country albums and sold more than 100 million records. She starred in the films 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias and wrote the score for the Broadway musical 9 to 5.

Parton won 11 Grammys and received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2006, the National Medal of Arts and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. She is a co-owner of the Dollywood theme park and was widely admired for her philanthropy, including the Dollywood Foundation's education and literacy work. She was married to Carl Dean from 1966 until his death in 2025. She died in Nashville, Tennessee, on August 25, 2026, at age 80.

Achievements: 25 No. 1 country singles, 11 Grammys, "9 to 5" and "I Will Always Love You," Kennedy Center Honors (2006), Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2022).

Birth: January 19, 1946 - Pittman Center, Tennessee.

Profession: Singer-songwriter, actress and philanthropist.

Interesting Facts: She turned down a request from Elvis Presley's manager for half of the publishing rights to "I Will Always Love You," which earned her millions in royalties. Her final album, Rockstar (2023), was her highest-charting solo album.