Behind the rhinestones and hit songs, Dolly Parton devoted much of her life to philanthropy.
In an often divided and contentious political climate, one thing most Americans can agree on: A love of Dolly Parton.
Born in a one-room cabin, one of twelve children, the singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist rose to become a worldwide icon. With a larger-than-life personality, glamours style, and undeniable talent, Dolly Parton was a star among stars. Her big blonde wigs, high heels, and tight-fitting clothing belied a down-home sense of humor, once quipping, “It costs a lot of money to look this cheap.”
She was also an extremely successful businesswoman.
Dolly wrote some of country music’s biggest hits, including Coat of Many Colors, Jolene, and I Will Always Love You, notably covered by Whitney Houston. Her massive duet hit with Kenny Rogers, the Bee Gees penned Islands in the Stream, has been a karaoke staple for decades. Parton’s songs were covered by some of the biggest music stars: Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, and Tina Turner.
Her success soon extended beyond music, with roles in films including 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias.
In 1986, she opened Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The park now attracts nearly 3 million visitors each season.
When she wasn’t singing, writing, acting or collecting her over 300 wigs and 2,000 pairs of shoes, Dolly was deeply involved in philanthropy.
One of her favorite causes was literacy, and through her Dollywood Foundation she founded the Imagination Library, which reports mailing more than 3 million books each month to children around the world.
Inspired by her father, an illiterate sharecropper and tobacco farmer, Dolly hoped to encourage a love of reading in children.
Parton supported many other charitable causes over the years, including:
Support of HIV/AIDS-related charities
A $500,000 commitment toward a new hospital and cancer center in her native Sevier County, Tennessee
Support for victims of the 2016 Great Smoky Mountain wildfires, for which Dollywood Foundation was honored with the FBI’s 2018 Director’s Community Leadership Award
A $1 million personal donation to the Mountain Ways Foundation for Hurricane Helene relief, matched with another $1 million from her East Tennessee businesses and the Dollywood Foundation
A $1 million donation to Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s COVID-19 research fund, which contributed to the development of a COVID-19 vaccination
Dolly was the recipient of the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service in 2007 and the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy in 2022. She was also named to TIME’s 2025 TIME100 Philanthropy list.
Billboard features a full timeline of her good deeds and philanthropic efforts.
As we think about honoring Dolly’s legacy, we encourage you to consider gifts to organizations promoting literacy and reading, including BBB Accredited Charities Reading is Fundamental, Read to Them, or ProLiteracy Worldwide.
Dolly encouraged people to give when they can and to give from the heart. In honoring her legacy, consider supporting a cause that matters to you and take a moment to choose an organization you trust.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful gifts and spirit with the world. We will always love you, Dolly.
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