Dolly Rebecca Parton was born in a one-room cabin on the banks of the Little Pigeon River in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, to a poor farming family. She was the fourth of 12 children and displayed an early aptitude and passion for music.

Parton began her music career at a young age, performing on local radio and television shows in Knoxville, Tennessee. She wrote her first song at the age of 5 and played her first show at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry at 13.

Immediately after graduating from Sevier County High School, Parton moved to Nashville to pursue a career in music. She became the protégée of country music singer and Grand Ole Opry star Porter Wagoner.

Parton made her album debut with "Hello, I'm Dolly", which marked the beginning of her successful solo and duet career with Porter Wagoner. Her early singles, such as 'Dumb Blonde' and 'Something Fishy,' started to gain traction on the country charts.

Parton discontinued her work with Porter Wagoner to launch her solo career, achieving immediate success with hits like 'Jolene' and 'Love Is Like a Butterfly.' She was named Female Singer of the Year by the Country Music Association in 1975 and 1976.

Parton began to cross over to the pop music market, winning a Grammy Award for 'Here You Come Again' in 1978. She also started her acting career, starring in films like "9 to 5" (1980), "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" (1982), and "Steel Magnolias" (1989).

Parton released the critically acclaimed album "Trio" with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt. The album spent five weeks at number one on "Billboard's" Country Albums chart and won a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

Parton's Dollywood Foundation launched the Imagination Library, a program that distributes free books to children from birth until they begin their first year of school. This initiative has since expanded globally.

Following the Great Smoky Mountains wildfires, Parton's Dollywood Foundation provided significant financial support to affected families, including $1,000 per month for six months and college scholarships to graduating high school seniors who lost their homes.

Parton continued her philanthropic efforts, including a $1 million donation to help develop the COVID-19 vaccine. In 2022, she received $100 million from Jeff Bezos to continue her charitable work and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.