Dolly Parton: More Than Just Glitz and Glamour
With her signature platinum wigs, sparkling outfits, and larger-than-life persona, it’s easy to dismiss Dolly Parton as just another glamorous celebrity. However, underneath the flamboyant image lies one of music’s sharpest businesswomen, an advocate for important causes, and a prolific, versatile songwriter.
From humble beginnings growing up poor in rural Appalachia, Parton pursued music with single-minded determination. She landed in Nashville at age 18 and soon established herself as one of country music’s most popular artists with hits like “Jolene” and “Coat of Many Colors.” Music brought Parton fame, but she also had the business savvy to negotiate ownership of her masters early in her career. This move, almost unheard of at the time, ensured she would profit from her catalog for decades to come.
As Parton’s fame grew, so too did her empire. In 1986 she invested in a run-down Nashville theme park which she transformed into Dollywood, a wildly popular tourist attraction that draws over 3 million visitors annually. The park serves as an economic engine for the Smoky Mountain region and provides jobs to thousands of people. Parton has expanded into film and television production through companies like Sandollar Productions and Dolly Records. Her business ventures have made Parton one of country music’s richest stars with an estimated net worth over $500 million.
While firmly rooted in country and folk, Parton’s music reveals an artist unwilling to be confined to any one genre. She has dabbled in bubblegum pop with the hit “Baby I’m Burnin,’” gospel with albums like He Touched Me, and even rock with her collaboration on the song “Islands in the Stream” with Kenny Rogers. She has penned over 3,000 songs exploring themes like unrequited love, family, and faith with a emotional honesty and poetic touch. Songs like “I Will Always Love You” and “Coat of Many Colors” have become American standards.
Parton is no stranger to adversity. Tabloid criticism of her appearance and writing off her early songs as fluff only seemed to steel Parton’s resolve. “I’m not offended by dumb blonde jokes because I know I’m not dumb,” she has quipped. Parton values education and literacy. Despite leaving school early herself, she funds scholarships and reading programs for thousands of children. After wildfires ravaged her hometown region in 2016, Parton raised millions for relief efforts.
Though she avoids endorsing political candidates, Parton uses her platform to advocate for LGBTQ acceptance and inclusion. As a native of Tennessee, she spoke out against the “bathroom bill” legislation in her home state requiring students to only use restrooms matching the sex on their birth certificates. “I just want to tell everybody out there, don’t be mean,” she pleaded tearfully in a 2016 interview, “We’re all just people.” Her message of tolerance serves as a rebuke to the polarization of current politics.
As Parton enters her eighth decade with no signs of slowing musically or entrepreneurially, perhaps her career can serve as a lesson – do not mistake glitz for lack of substance. Dolly Parton has spent a lifetime defying expectations and transcending stereotypes to become both an icon of femininity and feminism. She is a prolific songwriter and musician, savvy businessperson, and advocate whose impact spans genres, generations, and social change. Not just another blonde with big hair, she is country music’s ultimate girl boss.