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 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

1969: Induction into the Grand Ole Opry

In 1969, Dolly Parton was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, marking a significant milestone in her career.

1978: CMA Entertainer of the Year

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

1979: Emmy Award Nomination

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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, the first time the seal had been awarded to a person, for her contributions to literacy.

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.

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 & National State Teachers of the Year – Chasing Rainbows Award

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 efforts.

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: 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 for her literacy advocacy.

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.

2005: Awards for "Travelin' Thru"

In 2005, Dolly Parton's song "Travelin' Thru" from the film "Transamerica" won Best Original Song at the 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 contributions to the arts.

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.

May 8, 2009: Honorary Doctorate from the University of Tennessee

On May 8, 2009, Dolly Parton delivered 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 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.

2016: Telethons for Wildfire Relief

In 2016, Dolly Parton participated in a telethon and hosted her own to raise money for victims of the Great Smoky Mountains wildfires. Her fund, the "My People Fund", provided financial assistance to affected families.

2016: Response to Great Smoky Mountains Wildfires

In 2016, Dolly Parton responded to the Great Smoky Mountains wildfires by participating in telethons and creating the "My People Fund" to provide financial relief to victims.

2017: Estimated Net Worth of $500 Million

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

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.

2018: FBI Honors Parton for Wildfire Aid

In 2018, the FBI honored Dolly Parton with the 2018 Director's Community Leadership Award for her wildfire aid work.

November 2020: Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square released on Netflix

In November 2020, Dolly Parton produced and starred in the Netflix musical film Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square, which later won her a Primetime Emmy Award.

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2020: Grammy Award for Collaboration

In 2020, Dolly Parton received a Grammy award for her collaboration with For King & Country on their song, "God Only Knows".

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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.

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 Dolly Parton's honor.

2022: $100-Million Courage and Civility Award

In late 2022, Dolly Parton received a $100-million Courage and Civility Award from the founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos. According to Bezos, the award was given to Parton 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.

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.

2024: Donation to Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts

In 2024, Dolly Parton announced a donation of $2 million to relief efforts for Hurricane Helene, with $1 million personally and another $1 million through her businesses and the Dollywood Foundation.