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 multifaceted American entertainer, known for her success as a singer, songwriter, actress, businesswoman, and philanthropist. Her career launched in 1967 with her debut album and has spanned over six decades, resulting in 50 studio albums. Widely recognized as the "Queen of Country," Parton has received numerous awards, including eleven Grammy Awards and three Emmy Awards, alongside nominations for Academy, Golden Globe, and Tony Awards.
1969: Induction into the Grand Ole Opry
In 1969, Dolly Parton was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.
1978: Grammy Award for Here You Come Again album
In 1978, Dolly Parton won a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for her album Here You Come Again. She also made appearances on Cher's ABC television special in 1978.
1978: CMA Entertainer of the Year
In 1978, Dolly Parton won the Country Music Association's highest honor, Entertainer of the Year.
1979: Emmy Nomination for Cher Special
In 1979, Dolly Parton received an Emmy award nomination as "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Variety Program" for her guest appearance in a Cher special.
1980: Commercial Success with Chart-Topping Hits
In 1980, Dolly Parton experienced significant commercial success with three consecutive country chart number-one hits: "Starting Over Again", "Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You", and "9 to 5".
1980: 9 to 5 Film Release
In 1980, Dolly Parton portrayed a secretary in a leading role with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the comedy film 9 to 5. Parton also wrote and recorded the title song.
February 1981: Triple Number One Hit
In February 1981, the theme song to the 1980 feature film 9 to 5, starring Dolly Parton, reached number one on the country, pop, and adult-contemporary charts, giving her a triple number-one hit.
1981: Top Female Box Office Star
In 1981, Dolly Parton was named Top Female Box Office Star by the Motion Picture Herald due to the success of the film 9 to 5.
1981: Chart Success and Lawsuit Settlement
In early 1981, "9 to 5" topped both the country and pop charts. Dolly Parton also had another Top 10 single that year with "Making Plans" from her 1980 album with Porter Wagoner, which was released as part of a lawsuit settlement between them.
1982: Top Female Box Office Star
In 1982, Dolly Parton was named Top Female Box Office Star by the Motion Picture Herald due to the success of the film 9 to 5.
1983: Number One Hit with Kenny Rogers
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: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
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: Continued Top 10 Success
Between 1981 and 1985, Dolly Parton had twelve Top 10 hits on the country charts, with half of them reaching number one, as well as making inroads on the pop charts.
1986: Inductions into Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame
In 1986, Dolly Parton was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and was named one of Ms. Magazine's Women of the Year.
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: Number One Hit with Ricky Van Shelton
In 1991, Dolly Parton's duet with Ricky Van Shelton, "Rockin' Years", reached number one.
1995: 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.
1999: Induction into 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: Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album
In 1999, Dolly Parton won a Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album for The Grass Is Blue.
1999: Grammy Award and Hall of Fame Induction
In early 1999, Dolly Parton won a Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for her cover of Neil Young's "After the Gold Rush" with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt, and she 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 was awarded the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval, marking 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: Induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
In 2001, Dolly Parton was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
2001: Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance
In 2001, Dolly Parton won a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for her cover of Collective Soul's "Shine" from Little Sparrow.
2002: Ranked in CMT's 40 Greatest Women of Country Music
In 2002, Dolly Parton ranked No. 4 in CMT's 40 Greatest Women of Country Music.
2002: American Association of School Administrators – Galaxy Award
In 2002, Dolly Parton received the American Association of School Administrators – Galaxy Award for her contributions to literacy.
November 4, 2003: BMI Icon Award
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 earned the Partnership Award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for her efforts to preserve the bald eagle through the American Eagle Foundation's sanctuary at Dollywood.
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.
2003: Tribute Album Release
In 2003, Dolly Parton was honored with a tribute album called "Just Because I'm a Woman: Songs of Dolly Parton", featuring various artists recording versions of her songs. Dolly Parton also contributed a re-recording of the title song.
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. She is also the focus of a Library of Congress collection exploring the influences of country music on her life and career.
2005: Academy Award Nomination and Death Threats
In 2005, Dolly Parton earned her second Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song for "Travelin' Thru", but also received death threats due to the song's acceptance of a transgender woman. Also in 2005, she returned to number one on the country chart by lending her harmonies to the Brad Paisley 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.
2005: Awards and Nominations for "Travelin' Thru"
In 2005, Dolly Parton's "Travelin' Thru" from the film Transamerica won Best Original Song at the 2005 Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards. It was also nominated for both the 2005 Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and the 2005 Broadcast Film Critics Association Award (also known as the Critics' Choice Awards) for Best Song.
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. During the show, many country music stars showed their admiration.
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: Honorary Doctorate from University of Tennessee
On May 8, 2009, Dolly Parton gave the commencement speech at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the university.
June 3, 2011: Dolly Parton Day
On June 3, 2011, the South Carolina General Assembly declared June 3rd as Dolly Parton Day. Parton also appeared for the opening of the Myrtle Beach location becoming Pirates Voyage Fun, Feast and Adventure.
2011: Lifetime Achievement Grammy
In 2011, Dolly Parton earned a Lifetime Achievement Grammy, adding to her total of 11 Grammy Awards and 55 nominations.
2018: Hollywood Walk of Fame and Guinness World Records
In 2018, Dolly Parton received a second star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, inducted alongside Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris and was recognized in the Guinness World Records 2018 Edition.
2018: FBI Honors Parton for Wildfire Aid Work
In 2018, the FBI honored Dolly Parton with the 2018 Director's Community Leadership Award for her wildfire aid work, presented at FBI Headquarters in Washington.
November 2020: Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square Release
In November 2020, Dolly Parton produced and starred in the Netflix musical film Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square, which won her a Primetime Emmy Award.
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: 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.
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: Courage and Civility Award
In late 2022, Dolly Parton received a $100-million Courage and Civility Award from Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, due to her charity work improving children's literacy.
2023: American Library Association Honorary Membership
In 2023, Dolly Parton was awarded American Library Association Honorary Membership.
2023: Rolling Stone's 200 Greatest Singers of All Time
In 2023, Dolly Parton was ranked at No. 27 on Rolling Stone's list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.
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