Dolly Parton is a successful businesswoman and one of the richest women in the entertainment industry. She has built an empire as a singer, songwriter, producer, actress, and real estate mogul. Most people know her love for country music and her big hair, but how much do you really know about Dolly Parton? Dolly Rebecca Parton was born on January 19th 1946 in Sevierville Tennessee. Her parents sold t-tow in a general store where she grew up listening to old country singers like Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family; these are her idols till date. Dolly started her career at an early age singing at local events with her older brother Larry and his friend Bill Owens. In 1967 she recorded “The Blue Side of Things” with Bill as the duo “the OICs” (an acronym based on their surnames). The same year she moved to Nashville to pursue a career in country music. In 1970 Dolly signed a contract with ABC Records as a solo artist, two years later she signed with Monument Records as part of the duo The Judds (with her sister Naomi). The duo released several CDs that failed to sell, so she returned to solo performance in 1983 with the “Backwoods Again” album. She gained popularity after appearing on television shows such as “Nashville Now”, “New York’s Famous Bluebird Café” and many others.
Dolly Parton: A Superstar in Every Sense
As a singer, Dolly Parton has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and has over 40 Billboard- charted songs to her credit. In addition to her music career, she has starred in films and television programs, has written a best-selling book and has inspired generations of people through her philanthropic work. Her determination and commitment to her goals are unmatched as are her talents.
Dolly Parton’s Discography
This is a selected discography of Dolly Parton's solo albums. She has also participated in multiple collaborations and has contributed to albums by other artists. Parton has also had a successful career as a songwriter. She has written over 3,000 songs and has had multiple songs and albums certified gold, silver, or platinum.
Coincidence or Destiny?
Some people believe that our lives are destined to go one way, while others believe we have the power to change fate. Dolly Parton definitely falls into the latter category. Dolly grew up very poor and dealt with discrimination against her poverty-stricken childhood. After moving to Tennessee and starting a career in music, she discovered that she was not allowed to audition for any guest spots on TV shows because she was too “ugly” and her “segment of the audience” would be “too poor”. Instead, she decided to make her own show and created the “Dolly Parton’s Cabin” special which went on to be a huge success.
Why She is a Role Model for Women Around the World
Dolly Parton has inspired women throughout the world with her talent and determination. She has always pushed herself to be the best she can be and has not allowed anyone to tell her she can’t do something. Dolly has built a career for herself in a male-dominated industry, she has created a successful business, and she has used her fame and money to help others in need.
The Businesswoman Behind the Musician
Dolly Parton has always been a businesswoman. Even as a child, she made money from her family’s general store. At the age of 19, she had saved enough money to buy a small pawn shop in Tennessee. She later used that money to invest in a chain of laundromats and a small chain of restaurants. During her career as a musician, she only performed on weekends so she could spend the rest of the week working in her businesses. In 1989, she sold her businesses and retired from full-time work to focus on her music career full-time.
Lessons We Can Learn from Dolly Parton
There are many life lessons we can learn from Dolly Parton. Here are a few of the most important ones.
- We should not be ashamed of where we come from. Dolly grew up in a poor family, but she has never allowed that to define her or prevent her from pursuing her dreams.
- We should pursue our passions and not worry about what other people think. Dolly followed her dreams and created a successful music career.
- We should not let anyone tell us we can’t do something. Dolly has fought against discrimination her entire life and has proven that she can do anything she puts her mind to.
- We should not be afraid to fail. Dolly has failed many times, but she has always learned from her mistakes and kept going.
- We all have the potential to be something great. Dolly is one of the richest women in the world, but she did not start out that way.
- We should help others when we can. Dolly is an incredibly generous person who has donated large amounts of money to help people in need.
Final Words
Despite her fame and fortune, Dolly Parton has remained down-to-earth. She has never forgotten where she came from and she has used her fame and money to help others. If you are interested in country music, there is no better person to learn from than Dolly Parton.