Everything About Dolly Parton’s Career Achievements, Net Worth, and Family

Catch up with Everything About Dolly Parton’s Career Achievements, Net Worth, and Family. Our latest report covers the primary developments in full detail.

Dolly on reaching Nashville signed a pact with Combine Publishing. She first found success as a songwriter, penning lyrics for already accomplished acts some of which peaked on the Billboard charts. At 19 she signed with Monument Records and began recording singles which initially were not successful until she featured on a Bill Phillips single. Her singles “Dumb Blonde” and “Something Fishy,” which featured on the charts paved the way for her imminent breakthrough.

The release of her debut full-length album “Hello, I’m Dolly” gained her prominence as she attracted the attention of fellow country singer Porter Wagoner who invited her to appear on his eponymous TV show which was weekly syndicated. Wagoner and Dolly sang a few duets which peaked on the country charts and in 1968 they were named the “Vocal Group of the Year” by the “Country Music Association”. With Wagoner’s help, Parton signed a recording deal with RCA records. Although her duets with Wagoner were successful, Parton struggled with her solo career until she recorded Jimmie Rodgers’s “Mule Skinner Blues” on Wagoner’s suggestion.

Dolly Parton’s solo career took a new turn with the single “Joshua” released in 1971 which became her first #1 hit on the country charts. Next up was “Coat of Many Colors” which peaked at #4. In 1973 she landed another #1 hit with “Jolene” which also debuted on the UK charts.

Parton recorded yet another #1 hit “I Will Always Love You” in 1974, a song that has become widely known as her signature song. She re-recorded it in 1984 as a soundtrack for the movie The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and again it reached #1 on the charts, making Dolly the only musician in history to top the charts twice with the same song. Dolly has earned millions in royalties from the song like in 1992 when Whitney Houston recorded it for the soundtrack of the movie “The Bodyguard”. The song became an instant hit, selling over 12 million copies worldwide and Dolly reportedly made over $10 million from Whitney’s version.

Dolly enjoyed much success as a chart staple throughout the ’70s and ’80s. She has also enjoyed moderate success from the pop genre. Dolly has sold over 100 million of her works worldwide and over 40 of her albums have topped the Country charts. In addition to selling records, Parton has earned millions from extensive tours. Her most successful tour was the 2011 Better Day World Tour which grossed over $34 million.

She has been nominated for Grammy Awards a record of 46 times, winning 8. She has also been inducted into over a dozen Halls of Fame. In 2016, Dolly Parton’s album “Pure & Simple” debuted atop the country charts becoming her first #1 album in 25 years. Between 2015 and 2016 Forbes estimated her earnings at $19 million making her the 13th Highest-Paid Country musician In The World. But recently, her wealth is said to be fast increasing. She is estimated to have a net worth of about $500 Million.

A Quick Look at Her Best Songs

Dolly’s music career which started in 1956 has spanned over half a century. In these years, the talented musician has recorded numerous successful songs that have also won her numerous awards. Some of these songs include:

• “Coat of Many Colors” in 1971
• “Jolene” in 1974
• “I Will Always Love You” in 1974
• “Here You Come Again” in 1977
• “It’s All Wrong, But It’s All Right” in 1977
• “But You Know I Love You” in 1980
• “9 to 5” in 1980
• “Islands in the Stream” in 1983
• “Two Doors Down” in 1987
• “Why’d You Come in Here Looking Like That” in 1989

Dolly has Over 100 Awards 

Dolly has won more than 100 awards from over 20 distinguished awarding bodies in recognition of her talent and works in the entertainment industry. These awards have come from institutions such as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), Broadcast Music, Inc., Broadway.com Audience Awards, and others.

• Academy of Country Music Awards

Dolly was first nominated for an award at the Academy of Country Music Awards in 1969 as a top female vocalist. However, she ended up not winning the award but more than 5 decades later, she has won over 10 ACM awards from 43 nominations.

1. Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner Top Vocal Group, 1970
2. Entertainer of the Year, 1977
3. Top Female Vocalist, 1980
4. Top Vocal Duet – Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, 1983
5. Single Record of the Year shared with Kenny Rogers – Islands in the Stream – 1983
6. Album of the Year shared with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris – Trio, 1987
7. Vocal Event of the Year shared with Brad Paisley – When I Get Where I’m Going, 2005
8. Video of the Year shared with Brad Paisley – When I Get Where I’m Going, 2005
9. Cliffe Stone Pioneer Award – Dolly Parton, 2006
10. Jim Reeves International Award – Dolly Parton, 2008
11. Tex Ritter Film Award – Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colours, 2015
12. Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award – Dolly Parton, 2017

• American Music Awards

The Tennessee-born musician has won a total of 3 American Music Awards from about 15 nominations. Her wins include:

1. Favorite Country Album – New Harvest, First Gathering, 1978
2. Favorite Country Single – “Islands In The Stream” 1984
3. Favorite Country Single – “Tennessee Homesick Blues” 1985

• BMI Awards

Eversince she was nominated for her first Broadcast Music, Inc. award, Dolly has won every award nomination she stood up for. They include:

1. Country Award – “Put It Off Until Tomorrow” (performed by Bill Phillips) 1966
2. Country Award –  “Daddy Was An Old Time Preacherman” 1971
3. Country Award – “Joshua” 1971
4. Country Award – “The Last One To Touch Me” 1972
5. Country Award and Pop Award “Jolene” 1974
6. Country Award – “Traveling Man” 1974
7. Country Award – “Love Is Like A Butterfly,” “I Will Always Love You,” “Please Don’t Stop Loving Me,” and “Kentucky Gambler” (performed by Merle Haggard) all in 1975
8. Country Award – “The Seeker,” “The Bargain Store,” and “Say Forever You’ll Be Mine” in 1976
9. Country Award – “All I Can Do” 1976
10. Country Award – “Two Doors Down,” “Light Of A Clear Blue Morning” and “Two Doors Down” 1978
11. Pop Award – “Two Doors Down” 1978
12. Country Award – “Two Doors Down,” “Baby I’m Burning,” “It’s All Wrong, But It’s All Right” 1979
13. Pop Award – “Baby I’m Burning” 1979
14. Country Award – “It’s All Wrong, But It’s All Right” 1979
15. Pop Award – “Baby I’m Burning” 1979
16. Country Award, Pop Award, Pop Song of the Year, Country Song of the Year and Country Award – “9 To 5” 1981
17. Pop Award (1982) and Country Award (1983) – “Heartbreak Express” and “I Will Always Love You”
18. Country Award – “Everything’s Beautiful” 1983
19. Country Award – “Tennessee Homesick Blues” 1985
20. Pop Award and Pop Song of the Year – “I Will Always Love You” 1993
21. Pop Award – “I Will Always Love You” 1993 and 1994
22. Icon Award – Dolly Parton, 2003

• British Country Music Awards

Parton has won a total of 6 awards from the British CMA Awards.

1. Female Vocalist of the Year in 1976, 77, 78,79, 80 and 2000

• Broadway.com Audience Awards

1. Favorite New Broadway Song for “Get Out and Stay Out” in 2009

• Canadian Country Music Association Awards

Top Selling Album of the Year for Once Upon A Christmas (with Kenny Rogers) in 1985

• CMT Music Awards

Previously known as the Music City News Awards, TNN Awards, and Flameworthy Music Awards, Dolly has won many awards from nominations she has had. Her wins include:

1. Vocal Duet, and Most Promising Female – Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner, 1968, 69 and 70
2. Television Series – The Porter Wagoner Show, 1971
3. Vocal Duet – Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, 1984
4. Vocal Collaboration shared with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris – Trio, 1988
5. Vocal Collaboration shared with Ricky Van Shelton – Rockin’ Years, 1992
6. Music Video shared with Ricky Van Shelton – Rockin’ Years, 1992
7. Vocal Event shared with Billy Ray Cyrus & Friends – Romeo, 1994
8. Living Legend Award and Minnie Pearl Award in 1994
9. Video Event of the Year shared with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris – After The Goldrush, 2000

• Country Music Association Awards

1. The Country Music Association has recognized Dolly’s talent with 9 awards out of 44 nominations. Her earliest award from this organization dates back to 1968.
2. Vocal Group of the Year, and Vocal Duo of the Year, – Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton, 1968, 70 and 71
3. Female Vocalist of the Year in 1975 and 76
4. Entertainer of the Year in 1978
5. Vocal Event of the Year – the trio of Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt in 1988
6. Vocal Event of the Year – “I Will Always Love You” (Dolly Parton with special guest Vince Gill), 1996
7. Vocal Event of the Year – “When I Get Where I’m Going” (Brad Paisley featuring Dolly Parton), 2006
8. Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016

• European Country Music Association Awards

Dolly has won a total of 3 awards from the ECMA

1. Female Vocalist of the Year in 2001
2. Vocal Collaboration of the Year – “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” (with Roy Rivers) in 2006
3. Indie Album of the Year – Backwoods Barbie in 2008.

• Grammy Awards

Dolly has won many awards from The Recording Academy of the United States beginning from 1979 when she won the Best Country Vocal Performance, Female for her song Here You Come Again. Below is a comprehensive list of her Grammy Awards:

1. Best Country Vocal Performance, Female for Here You Come Again in 1979
2. Best Country Vocal Performance, Female and Best Country Song for “9 to 5” in 1982
3. Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group – Trio (Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt)
4. Best Country Vocal Collaboration – “After the Gold Rush” (Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt) in 2000
5. Best Bluegrass Album for The Grass Is Blue in 2001
6. Best Female Country Vocal Performance for “Shine” in 2002
7. Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011
8. Best Country Duo/Group Performance – “Jolene” (Pentatonix featuring Dolly Parton) in 2017
9. MusiCares Person of the Year in 2019
10. Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song – “God Only Knows” (For King & Country and Dolly Parton) in 2020

• International Bluegrass Music Awards

Professional members of the Bluegrass Music Association deemed Dolly Parton deserving of the following awards

1. Album of the Year for The Grass Is Blue in 2000
2. Recorded Event of the Year with Ralph Stanley for Clinch Mountain Sweethearts in 2002

• International Country Gospel Music Association

In the Christian music genre, Dolly has an award from the oldest of all Christian country music organizations – the International Country Gospel Music Association (ICGMA).

1. Single of the Year for “Hello God” in 2003.

• People’s Choice Awards

The American singer and multi-instrumentalist has won a total of 3 awards from a total of 6 nominations.

1. Favorite Song from a Motion Picture for “9 to 5” in 1981
2. Favorite Female Performer in a New TV Program for Dolly in 1988
3. Favorite All-Around Female Entertainer for Dolly Parton in 1988

• Nashville Songwriters Association International Awards

Dolly has won a total of 14 awards from the Nashville Songwriters Association International which is a non-profit organization that rewards songwriters.

1. Songwriter Achievement Award for “Put It Off Until Tomorrow” (performed by Bill Phillips) in 1968
2. Songwriter Achievement Award for “Daddy Was An Old Time Preacherman” in 1971
3. Songwriter Achievement Award for “Coat of Many Colors” in 1972
4. Songwriter Achievement Award for “Jolene” in 1974 and 75
5. Songwriter Achievement Award for “Love Is Like A Butterfly” and “Kentucky Gambler” (performed by Merle Haggard) in 1975
6. Songwriter Achievement Award for “The Seeker” in 1976
7. Songwriter Achievement Award for “Two Doors Down” in 1979
8. Songwriter Achievement Award for 9 To 5″ in 1982
9. Songwriter Achievement Award for “Eagle When She Flies” in 1991
10. Songwriter Achievement Award for “I Will Always Love You” (performed by Whitney Houston) in 1992, a duet with Vince Gill in 1995, and performance by Whitney Houston in 2012.