Dolly Parton’s net worth is?
$650 million is the net worth of Dolly Parton, an American singer, songwriter, actress, author, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Over 50 years, Dolly Parton has been writing and performing hit country songs. The release of 41 top 10 country albums and 25 #1 singles has been achieved by her to date.
Famous for her songs “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You,” (performed by Whitney Houston in the movie The Bodyguard), Dolly has sold over 100 million albums as a solo artist alone throughout her career. Additionally, numerous artists have sold hundreds of millions of albums featuring her compositions.
Significant portions of her wealth have been invested in Tennessee through philanthropy and entrepreneurial ventures. Dollywood, her theme park, is the US’s 24th most-visited theme park, attracting 3 million visitors annually. Dolly has contributed and/or raised enormous funds to support various charitable causes.
Early Years
It was in 1946 in Sevier County, Tennessee that Dolly Rebecca Parton was born as the fourth of twelve kids. Her father worked as a tobacco farmer. She recalled her family as extremely poor, mentioning how her father reportedly paid the doctor with a bag of oatmeal for delivering her. Music played a crucial role in her life, and she frequently performed in church during her early years. By the age of 9, Dolly began appearing on The Cas Walker Show and later signed with the small Louisiana label Goldband Records. The day after graduating high school in 1964, Dolly relocated to Nashville. Teaming up with her uncle Bill Owens, she swiftly found success as a songwriter, co-writing several charting singles.
Path to Fame
She penned a contract with Monument Records in 1965 at the age of 19. Initially marketed as a bubblegum pop singer, her initial pop songs did not gain traction. Following the success of one of her country tracks reaching #6 on the country charts, performed byFinally seeing the light, Monument Records gave up their pop dreams for Dolly after another artist (Bill Phillips – with Dolly on harmony) caught their attention.
Reaching #24 on the county chart, Dolly’s first single as a country artist was “Dumb Blonde,” a song she did not write. This was one of the few non-self-composed songs Dolly recorded during that era. Her second single, “Something Fishy,” hit #17.
Both of these songs appeared on Dolly’s debut studio album, “Hello, I’m Dolly,” released in 1967. The album also included her versions of several songs she had written that had already become famous by other artists. It peaked at #11 on the Billboard Hot Country Albums chart.
Porter Wagoner
In the same year, Dolly started making regular appearances on Porter Wagoner’s weekly syndicated show, “The Porter Wagoner Show.” Recognizing her talent and untapped potential, Wagoner persuaded his label, RCA Victor, to sign Dolly. He also became her producer and acquired 50% of Owe-Par, the publishing company she had established with her uncle Bill Owens. Thus, Porter had a significant stake in Dolly’s success.
Her first single from her second studio album, “Just Because I’m a Woman,” released in 1968, was a duet with Porter.
Over the years from 1968 to 1980, Porter and Dolly released 13 studio albums as a duo, yielding 21 singles on the country chart, including the #1 hit “Please Don’t Stop Loving Me.”
Despite Dolly’s solo career struggling initially, she scored a massive hit in 1973 with the song “Jolene.” Topping the country chart in February 1974, the song also performed well on global non-country charts. Rolling Stone later ranked it 217th on its list of the Greatest Songs of all Time, and Dolly revealed that “Jolene” was her most recorded song by other artists among all her compositions.
Transitioning from Porter Wagoner in April 1974 for her solo work, though he continued to produce her songs until 1975.
(Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images)
I Will Always Love You
In 1973, Dolly initiated the creation of a song that eventually became known as “I Will Always Love You.” Intended as a farewell to Porter Wagoner, marking the end of their seven-year professional collaboration, the song drew interest from Elvis for a potential recording. Dolly entertained the idea until Elvis’ manager, Colonel Tom Parker, demanded half of the song’s publishing rights, leading Dolly to decline and pursue her own solo rendition.
Upon its release on March 18, 1974, the song topped the Billboard country chart. Remarkably, it achieved this feat twice, re-reaching #1 in 1982 after a re-recording for the film “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.”
In 1991, after viewing an early cut of the movie “The Bodyguard,” music producer Clive Davis (who mentored Whitney Houston) expressed dissatisfaction with the underutilization of Whitney’s musical abilities. Clive lobbied the producers, including Kevin Costner, toWhitney was suggested a song for the climax scene of the movie, and Kevin Costner agreed and ultimately chose “I Will Always Love You.” Whitney’s rendition dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 weeks and became one of the highest-selling singles ever, surpassing 20 million copies. It stands as the best-selling single by a female artist to date.
Royalties
Due to Whitney’s version, Dolly raked in $10 million in royalties during the early 1990s, equivalent to roughly $20 million today. The song’s success allowed her to jest about being able to afford “Graceland.” Dolly, holding the rights to the song, continues to earn about 8 cents per radio play and $2 per album sold.
Pop Stardom and Acting Career
From 1974 to 1980, Dolly maintained her chart-topping status with eight #1 country hits. She helmed her variety show from 1976 to 1977 and transitioned into pop music with her 1977 album “New Harvest… First Gathering,” which included her renditions of R&B classics like “My Girl” and “Higher and Higher.”
In 1980, Dolly ventured into acting with the movie “9 to 5,” alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, where she also sang the title track. Her performance in the film earned her an Oscars nod and four Grammy nominations, winning the Grammys for Best Country Song and Best Country Vocal Performance.
Noteworthy films in Dolly’s career include “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” (1982), “Rhinestone” (1984), “Steel Magnolias” (1989), and “Joyful Noise” (2012).
Suzanne Cordeiro/AFP/Getty Images
Personal Life
In 1966, Dolly tied the knot with Carl Thomas Dean, a private individual who managed an asphalt business in Nashville, steering clear of the limelight. He rarely accompanies Dolly to public functions and has witnessed her perform publicly only once.
Although Dolly and Carl have no children, they helped raise Dolly’s younger siblings. Dolly actively participates in the lives of her nieces and nephews, as well as being the godmother to Miley Cyrus.
Tennessee Mansion
Dolly’s expansive 60+ acre estate, Willow Lake Plantation, in Brentwood, Tennessee, features a grand 23-room mansion as its centerpiece.