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, musician, actress, and philanthropist, prominently known for her contributions to country music. Her career began in 1967 with the release of her debut album, "Hello, I'm Dolly," and has since spanned 60 years and 49 studio albums. Parton's forty-ninth solo studio album, "Rockstar" (2023), marked a significant achievement, reaching number three on the Billboard 200, her highest charting album to date.

Sections (5)

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

1968: Release of First Solo Single and CMA Award

In 1968, Dolly Parton released her first solo single for RCA Victor, "Just Because I'm a Woman", which was a moderate hit. She and Porter Wagoner were also named Vocal Group of the Year by the Country Music Association.

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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.

1974: "I Will Always Love You" reaches number one

In 1974, Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You", written about her professional break from Wagoner, reached number one on the country chart. She refused to sign over half of the publishing rights to Elvis Presley for the song.

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1977: Release of Here You Come Again

In 1977, Dolly Parton released the album Here You Come Again, produced by Gary Klein, which became her first million-seller, topping the country album chart and reaching number 20 on the pop chart. The title track became her first Top 10 pop single.

1978: Grammy Award and Television Appearances

In 1978, Dolly Parton won a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for her Here You Come Again album. She appeared on Cher's ABC television special, and her own joint special with Carol Burnett on CBS, Dolly & Carol in Nashville.

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1978: Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year

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

1984: Star on 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 Ms. Magazine's Woman of the Year and Induction into Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame

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

1990: Honorary Doctorate Degree from Carson-Newman College

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

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.

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 had been awarded to a person.

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: American Association of School Administrators – Galaxy Award and National State Teachers of the Year – Chasing Rainbows Award

In 2002, Dolly Parton was awarded the American Association of School Administrators – Galaxy Award and the National State Teachers of the Year – Chasing Rainbows Award for her literacy work.

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: BMI Icon Award

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 in recognition of her efforts in literacy.

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.

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

In 2003, a tribute album called Just Because I'm a Woman: Songs of Dolly Parton was released featuring artists such as Melissa Etheridge, Alison Krauss, Shania Twain, Meshell Ndegeocello, Norah Jones, and Sinéad O'Connor covering Parton's songs. Parton herself contributed a re-recording of the title song.

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April 14, 2004: Living Legend Medal from 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: Receiving the National Medal of Arts

In 2005, Dolly Parton received the National Medal of Arts.

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

In 2005, Dolly Parton was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Travelin' Thru" from the film Transamerica.

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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. Carrie Underwood performed "Islands in the Stream" with Rogers, Krauss performed "Jolene" and duetted "Coat of Many Colors" with Twain, and McEntire and Reese Witherspoon also paid tribute.

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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 delivered the commencement speech at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville's College of Arts and Sciences graduation ceremony. During the ceremony, she received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the university, the second honorary degree given by the university.

November 16, 2010: Liseberg Applause Award

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 a Lifetime Achievement Grammy, adding to her collection of 11 Grammy Awards and 55 Grammy Award nominations.

2012: Over 3,000 Songs Written and 100 Million Records Sold

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.

2018: Second Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame and Guinness World Records Recognition

In 2018, Dolly Parton received a second star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame alongside Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris. 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 for her wildfire aid work, awarding her the 2018 Director's Community Leadership Award at a ceremony at FBI Headquarters in Washington. The honor was accepted on Parton's behalf by David Dotson, the CEO of the Dollywood Foundation.

2020: Grammy Award for "God Only Knows" 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: Charts in Seven Decades

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

2021: Inclusion on Time 100 List

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: Asteroid Named in Her Honor

In 2022, Asteroid (10731) Dollyparton was named in Dolly Parton's honor.

2022: Courage and Civility Award from Jeff Bezos

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