Dolly Parton's Success and Achievements in Timeline
A closer look at the biggest achievements of Dolly Parton. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.
Dolly Parton is a celebrated American singer-songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman. Her career began with songwriting success for others, followed by her debut album in 1967. Over six decades and 50 albums, she became known as the "Queen of Country," receiving numerous awards including 11 Grammy Awards, three Emmy Awards, nominations for two Academy Awards, six Golden Globe Awards, and a Tony Award, as well as an honorary Oscar for humanitarian work in 2025.
1969: Induction into the Grand Ole Opry
Dolly Parton was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1969, marking a significant milestone in her career.
1978: Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year
In 1978, Dolly Parton won the Country Music Association's highest honor, Entertainer of the Year.
February 1981: Triple Number-One Hit with 9 to 5
In February 1981, Dolly Parton's theme song to the film "9 to 5" achieved a triple number-one hit, topping the country, pop, and adult-contemporary charts. This success made Parton one of the few female country singers to simultaneously have a number-one single on both the country and pop charts.
1983: Islands in the Stream Success
In 1983, Dolly Parton's duet with Kenny Rogers, "Islands in the Stream," written by the Bee Gees and produced by Barry Gibb, spent two weeks at number one.
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, located at 6712 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
1985: Top 10 Hits
Between 1981 and 1985, Dolly Parton had twelve Top 10 hits, with half of them reaching number one, and continued to make inroads on the pop charts.
1986: Ms. Magazine Woman 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.
1987: Trio Album Release
In 1987, Dolly Parton, along with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt, released the album "Trio" to critical acclaim. The album revitalized Parton's music career and won a Grammy Award.
1989: White Limozeen Success
In 1989, Dolly Parton released "White Limozeen", which produced two number one hits: "Why'd You Come in Here Lookin' Like That" and "Yellow Roses".
1990: Honorary Doctorate from Carson-Newman College
In 1990, Dolly Parton received an honorary doctorate degree from Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee.
1991: Rockin' Years Hit
In 1991, Dolly Parton's duet with Ricky Van Shelton, "Rockin' Years", reached number one.
1992: The Bodyguard Soundtrack Success
In 1992, Whitney Houston's recording of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" for "The Bodyguard" soundtrack became a massive commercial success.
1993: Slow Dancing with the Moon Album
In 1993, Dolly Parton's album "Slow Dancing with the Moon" was released, receiving critical acclaim and reaching number four on the country albums chart and number 16 on the Billboard 200 album chart. She also recorded "The Day I Fall in Love" with James Ingram for the film Beethoven's 2nd.
1994: Honky Tonk Angels Release
In the fall of 1993 Dolly Parton released the collaborative album Honky Tonk Angels with Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette. In 1994, Parton contributed the song "You Gotta Be My Baby" to the AIDS benefit album Red Hot + Country and released the live acoustic album Heartsongs: Live from Home.
1995: CMA Vocal Event of the Year Award
In 1995, Dolly Parton's re-recording of "I Will Always Love You" with Vince Gill won the Country Music Association's Vocal Event of the Year Award.
1998: Discovery of Asteroid (10731) Dollyparton
In 1998, the asteroid that would later be named (10731) Dollyparton, was discovered.
1999: Induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame
In 1999, Dolly Parton received country music's highest honor with an induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
1999: The Grass Is Blue Release
In 1999, Dolly Parton released "The Grass Is Blue", a bluegrass-inspired album that won a Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album.
1999: Trio II and Hall of Fame Induction
In early 1999, Dolly Parton released "Trio II", a collaboration with Harris and Ronstadt, which won a Grammy Award. Parton was also inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999.
2000: Association of American Publishers Honors Award
In 2000, Dolly Parton received the Association of American Publishers Honors Award for her work in literacy.
2001: Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval
In 2001, Dolly Parton received the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval, marking the first time the seal was awarded to an individual, in recognition of her literacy efforts.
2001: Little Sparrow Release
In 2001, Dolly Parton released the album "Little Sparrow", with its cover of Collective Soul's "Shine" winning a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.
2001: Induction into the National Academy of Popular Music/Songwriters Hall of Fame
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.
2002: CMT's 40 Greatest Women of Country Music Ranking
In 2002, Dolly Parton ranked No. 4 in CMT's 40 Greatest Women of Country Music.
2002: Literacy Awards
In 2002, Dolly Parton received the American Association of School Administrators Galaxy Award and the National State Teachers of the Year Chasing Rainbows Award for her literacy initiatives.
November 4, 2003: Honored as BMI Icon
On November 4, 2003, Dolly Parton was honored as a BMI Icon at the 2003 BMI Country Awards.
2003: Partnership Award from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
In 2003, Dolly Parton received the Partnership Award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for her efforts to preserve bald eagles at the American Eagle Foundation's sanctuary at Dollywood.
2003: Parents as Teachers National Center Award
In 2003, Dolly Parton was honored with the Parents as Teachers National Center Child and Family Advocacy Award for her commitment to literacy.
April 14, 2004: Living Legend Medal by the 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: Academy Award Nomination for Travelin' Thru
In 2005, Dolly Parton earned her second Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song for "Travelin' Thru", written for the film Transamerica, which led to death threats. She also reached number one on the country chart with Brad Paisley's ballad, "When I Get Where I'm Going".
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. The award is presented by the U.S. President.
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 of contributions to the arts. During the show, Carrie Underwood performed "Islands in the Stream" with Rogers, Krauss performed "Jolene" and duetted "Coat of Many Colors" with Twain. McEntire and Reese Witherspoon also came to pay tribute.
November 8, 2007: Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service
On November 8, 2007, Dolly Parton was awarded the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service from the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars of the Smithsonian Institution for her public service.
February 26, 2008: Backwoods Barbie Album Release
On February 26, 2008, Dolly Parton released the studio album "Backwoods Barbie", which reached number two on the country chart and number 17 on the Billboard 200, her highest charting album.
May 8, 2009: Honorary Doctorate from University of Tennessee
On May 8, 2009, Dolly Parton delivered the commencement speech at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville's College of Arts and Sciences graduation ceremony, during which she received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.
2011: Lifetime Achievement Grammy
In 2011, Dolly Parton received a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award.
2018: Second Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
In 2018, Dolly Parton received a second star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, inducted alongside Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris in recognition of their work as a trio. Parton was also recognized in the Guinness World Records 2018 Edition for holding records for the Most Decades with a Top 20 hit on Billboard's Hot Country Songs Chart and Most Hits on Billboard's Hot Country Songs Chart by a Female Artist.
2018: FBI Director's Community Leadership Award
In 2018, the FBI honored Dolly Parton with the 2018 Director's Community Leadership Award for her wildfire aid, presented at FBI Headquarters.
2020: Grammy Award for "God Only Knows"
In 2020, Dolly Parton received a Grammy award for her collaboration with For King & Country on their song, "God Only Knows".
2021: Included on the Time 100
In 2021, Dolly Parton was included on the Time 100, Time's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. The New York Times called her among the three of America's Most Beloved Divas (alongside Patti LaBelle and Barbra Streisand).
November 5, 2022: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
On November 5, 2022, Dolly Parton was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
2022: Asteroid Named After Dolly Parton
In 2022, Asteroid (10731) Dollyparton, the former 1998 BL3, was named in her honor.
2022: Courage and Civility Award
In late 2022, Dolly Parton received a $100-million Courage and Civility Award from the founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, because of her charity work focused on improving children's literacy around the world.
2023: American Library Association Honorary Membership
In 2023, Dolly Parton was awarded American Library Association Honorary Membership.
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