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 highly acclaimed American singer, songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman. Known as the "Queen of Country," she launched her solo career in 1967 with the album 'Hello, I'm Dolly,' after initially writing songs for other artists. Her career spans 60 years and includes 50 studio albums. She has earned numerous awards, including eleven Grammy Awards, three Emmy Awards, and nominations for Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and a Tony Award, solidifying her status as one of the most honored female country performers.

Sections (5)

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

1969: Induction into the Grand Ole Opry

In 1969, Dolly Parton was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.

1978: CMA Entertainer of the Year

In 1978, Dolly Parton won the Country Music Association's highest honor, Entertainer of the Year.

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.

1986: Named one of Ms. Magazine's Women of the Year and inducted into Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame

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.

1990: Honorary Doctorate from Carson-Newman College

In 1990, Dolly Parton received an honorary doctorate degree from Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee.

1998: Ranked wealthiest country music star by Nashville Business

In 1998, Nashville Business ranked Dolly Parton as the wealthiest country music star.

1999: Induction into Country Music Hall of Fame

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

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 for her work in literacy; the first time it had been awarded to a person.

2001: Induction into 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: Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame

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

2002: American Association of School Administrators – Galaxy Award

In 2002, Dolly Parton received the American Association of School Administrators – Galaxy Award for her work in literacy.

2002: Ranked No. 4 in CMT's 40 Greatest Women of Country Music

In 2002, Dolly Parton was ranked No. 4 in CMT's 40 Greatest Women of Country Music.

November 4, 2003: Honored as a BMI Icon at the 2003 BMI Country Awards

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

2003: Parents as Teachers National Center – Child and Family Advocacy Award

In 2003, Dolly Parton received the Parents as Teachers National Center – Child and Family Advocacy Award for her work in literacy.

2003: Tribute Album: Just Because I'm a Woman: Songs of Dolly Parton

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

2003: Partnership Award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

In 2003, Dolly Parton's efforts to preserve the bald eagle through the American Eagle Foundation's sanctuary at Dollywood earned her the Partnership Award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

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: 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.

2005: Academy Award nomination for "Travelin' Thru" and other awards

In 2005, Dolly Parton was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Travelin' Thru" from the film Transamerica, which also won Best Original Song at the 2005 Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards.

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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, with performances by Carrie Underwood, Alison Krauss, Shania Twain and Reba McEntire.

November 8, 2007: Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service

On November 8, 2007, Dolly Parton received the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service from the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars of the Smithsonian Institution at a ceremony in Nashville.

May 8, 2009: Commencement Speech and Honorary Doctorate

On May 8, 2009, Dolly Parton gave the commencement speech at the graduation ceremony for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville's College of Arts and Sciences, and received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the university.

November 16, 2010: Liseberg Applause Award for Dollywood

On November 16, 2010, Dolly Parton accepted the Liseberg Applause Award, the theme park industry's most prestigious honor, 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 earned her Lifetime Achievement Grammy, adding to her total of 11 Grammy Awards and 55 Grammy Award nominations.

2012: Songwriting and Record Sales

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 ever.

2015: New Lichen Species Named After Dolly Parton

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

2017: Estimated net worth of $500 million

As of 2017, Dolly Parton's net worth was estimated at $500 million.

February 2018: Donated 100 Millionth Book

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: Dolly Parton Receives Second Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame and Guinness World Records Recognition

In 2018, Dolly Parton was inducted onto the Hollywood Walk of Fame alongside Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris and was recognized in the Guinness World Records 2018 Edition for Most Decades with a Top 20 hit 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 for her wildfire aid, awarding her the 2018 Director's Community Leadership Award at a ceremony at FBI Headquarters.

2020: Grammy Award for "God Only Knows"

In 2020, Dolly Parton won a Grammy Award for her collaboration with For King & Country on the song "God Only Knows".

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2021: Appeared on Country Music Charts in Each of 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 List

In 2021, Dolly Parton was included in the Time 100, Time magazine's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. She was also named as one of America's Most Beloved Divas by The New York Times.

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, formerly known as 1998 BL3, was officially named in honor of Dolly Parton.

2022: Courage and Civility Award from Jeff Bezos

In late 2022, Dolly Parton received a $100 million Courage and Civility Award from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos for her charity work focused on improving children's literacy.