How Dolly Parton Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

How the contributions of Dolly Parton continue to shape the world today.

Dolly Parton is a highly successful American singer, songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman. Her career began in 1967 with the release of her debut album, "Hello, I'm Dolly," and has spanned six decades, producing 50 studio albums. Known as the "Queen of Country," she is one of the most celebrated female country performers, with numerous awards including eleven Grammy Awards and three Emmy Awards. She has also been nominated for Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and a Tony Award, recognizing her diverse talents and contributions to music, film, and television.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1984: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

In 1984, Dolly Parton was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her music.

1986: Ms. Magazine's Women of the Year and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction

In 1986, Dolly Parton was named one of Ms. Magazine's Women of the Year and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

1999: Country Music Hall of Fame Induction

In 1999, Dolly Parton received country music's highest honor with an induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

2001: National Academy of Popular Music/Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction

In 2001, Dolly Parton was inducted into the National Academy of Popular Music/Songwriters Hall of Fame.

2001: Induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame

In 2001, Dolly Parton was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

November 4, 2003: Honored as a BMI Icon

On November 4, 2003, Dolly Parton was honored as a BMI Icon at the 2003 BMI Country Awards.

2003: Tribute Album Release

In 2003, a tribute album called "Just Because I'm a Woman: Songs of Dolly Parton" was released, featuring various artists performing versions of Dolly Parton's songs.

April 14, 2004: Living Legend Medal from U.S. Library of Congress

On April 14, 2004, Dolly Parton was awarded the Living Legend Medal by the U.S. Library of Congress for her contributions to the cultural heritage of the United States.

2005: National Medal of Arts

In 2005, Dolly Parton was honored with the National Medal of Arts, the highest honor given by the U.S. government for excellence in the arts.

December 3, 2006: Kennedy Center Honors

On December 3, 2006, Dolly Parton received the Kennedy Center Honors from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for her lifetime contributions to the arts.

2009: Songwriting Statistics on Larry King Live

In a 2009 interview on CNN's Larry King Live, Dolly Parton stated that she had written at least 3,000 songs and writes something every day.

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November 16, 2010: Liseberg Applause Award for Dollywood

On November 16, 2010, Dolly Parton accepted the Liseberg Applause Award on behalf of Dollywood theme park, during a ceremony held at IAAPA Attractions Expo 2010 in Orlando, Florida.

2011: Lifetime Achievement Grammy

In 2011, Dolly Parton received a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award, adding to her total of 11 Grammy Awards and 55 nominations.

2012: Songwriting and Sales Milestone

As of 2012, Dolly Parton had written more than 3,000 songs and sold more than 100 million records, making her one of the best-selling female artists of all time.

2015: Lichen Species Named After Dolly Parton

In 2015, a newly discovered species of lichen found growing in the southern Appalachians was named Japewiella dollypartoniana to honor Dolly Parton's music and her efforts to bring national and global attention to that region.

February 2018: 100 Millionth Book Donation

In February 2018, Dolly Parton donated her 100 millionth free book, a copy of her children's picture book "Coat of Many Colors", to the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., and was honored by the Library of Congress.

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2018: Hollywood Walk of Fame Recognition and Guinness World Records

In 2018, Dolly Parton received a second star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was inducted alongside Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris in recognition of their work as a trio. In 2018, she was also recognized in the Guinness World Records for holding records for the Most Decades with a Top 20 hit and Most Hits on Billboard's Hot Country Songs Chart by a Female Artist.

2020: Inspiration Credits in "Songteller: My Life in Lyrics"

In her 2020 book, "Songteller: My Life in Lyrics", Dolly Parton credited her family and community, especially her mother and Aunt Dorothy Jo, as major inspirations for her music.

Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics

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2021: Chart Appearances Over Seven Decades

As of 2021, Dolly Parton had appeared on the country music charts in each of seven decades, the most of any artist.

2021: Inclusion on Time 100 and America's Most Beloved Divas

In 2021, Dolly Parton was included on the Time 100, Time's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. Also in 2021, The New York Times called her one of America's Most Beloved Divas.