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 an American singer, songwriter, musician, actress, and philanthropist, primarily recognized as a country musician. Her career began with her debut album, Hello, I'm Dolly, in 1967, and spans 60 years, encompassing 49 studio albums. Notably, her forty-ninth solo studio album, Rockstar (2023), achieved a peak position of number three on the Billboard 200, marking her highest-charting album to date.

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: Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year

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

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.

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 Degree from Carson-Newman College

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

1998: Wealthiest Country Music Star

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

1999: Induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame

In 1999, Dolly Parton received country music's highest honor: 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 it was awarded to an individual.

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 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 received the American Association of School Administrators – Galaxy Award and the National State Teachers of the Year – Chasing Rainbows Award for her contributions to 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 BMI Icon

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

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 covering her songs.

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

In 2003, Dolly Parton was honored with the Parents as Teachers National Center – Child and Family Advocacy Award for her literacy advocacy.

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, presented by the U.S. President.

2005: Academy Award Nominations and Awards

In 2005, Dolly Parton was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "9 to 5" and "Travelin' Thru" from the film Transamerica. "Travelin' Thru" 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 contributions to the arts. The show included performances of her songs by other artists, such as "Islands in the Stream", "Jolene", and "Coat of Many Colors".

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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, Knoxville

On May 8, 2009, Dolly Parton delivered the commencement speech at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville's College of Arts and Sciences graduation ceremony and received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the university. This was only the second honorary degree given by 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 received a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award.

2017: Estimated Net Worth

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

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

In 2018, Dolly Parton received a second star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame alongside Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris and was recognized in the Guinness World Records for holding records related to Billboard's Hot Country Songs Chart.

2018: FBI Director's Community Leadership Award

In 2018, Dolly Parton was honored with the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award for her aid work related to the 2016 Great Smoky Mountains wildfires. The award was accepted on her behalf by David Dotson.

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: 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, the former 1998 BL3, was named in her honor.

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 around the world.