From Nashville to Hollywood, these Dolly Parton pictures prove that this one-of-a-kind icon has remained amazing throughout her 50 years in the spotlight.
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Bullets And Booze: 31 Vintage Photos Of Outlaw Country
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1 of 45Country singers Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner in a candid portrait circa 1968 in Nashville, Tennessee. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images 2 of 45John Belushi is hugged by an enthusiastic Dolly Parton in New York, circa 1970. Art Zelin/Getty Images 3 of 45Chris Walter/WireImage 4 of 45Parton performing circa 1975.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images 5 of 45Parton rehearses for her New York nightclub debut at the West Village’s Bottom Line in 1977.Bettmann/Getty Images 6 of 45Parton at the Hollywood Paladium in 1977.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images 7 of 45Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images 8 of 45Parton on the Phil Donahue Show at WGN Television in Chicago, Illinois in 1977. Paul Natkin/Getty Images 9 of 45Country Music Association award winners, left to right, Roy Clark, Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, and Porter Wagoner.Bettmann/Getty Images 10 of 45Parton greets her fans at an in-store appearance at Peaches Records in Atlanta on May 3, 1977.Tom Hill/WireImage 11 of 45Parton leaves her hand-prints at Peaches Records. Tom Hill/Getty Images 12 of 45Performing onstage at the Mill Run Theater in Niles, Illinois, in 1977.
Here, Parton is playing what appears to be an Appalachian dulcimer and she can play eight instruments total.Paul Natkin/Getty Images 13 of 45Peter Stuart/Mirrorpix/Getty Images 14 of 45Parton giving an interview at the Holiday Inn in Chicago, Illinois, on April 30, 1977.
Parton has always been outspoken about her humble background and is quick to show off her Appalachian pride.Paul Natkin/Getty Images 15 of 45Parton somewhere in London in May 1977. Keystone/Getty Images 16 of 45David Redfern/Redferns 17 of 45Parton hugs British rocker Mick Jagger backstage in New York on May 14, 1977. Allan Tannenbaum/Getty Images 18 of 45Linda Ronstadt and Dolly Parton backstage at The Oakland Coliseum in 1977 in Oakland, California. Richard McCaffrey/ Michael Ochs Archive/ Getty Images 19 of 45Parton arrives in Sydney, Australia, on July 11, 1979. Trevor James Robert Dallen/Fairfax Media via Getty Images 20 of 45Parton arrives for the Oscars rehearsals in 1981. Her song “9 to 5” was nominated for best original song.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images 21 of 45The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images 22 of 45Parton at the opening party for the play Morning At Seven in 1980.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images 23 of 45Parton heads to an after-party at Harrah’s Club in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, in 1980.George Rose/Getty Images 24 of 45Photo by George Rose/Getty Images 25 of 45Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin circa 1981 in New York.
The three of them starred in the classic film Nine to Five in 1980, for which Parton’s eponymous song was written.Robin Platzer/Images/Getty Images 26 of 45Parton with Timothy Hutton and actress Lily Tomlin (right) at the Golden Globe Awards in 1981. Fotos International/Archive Photos/Getty Images 27 of 45Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton at Burt Reynolds Theater on July 15, 1982. Rich Mahan/Sun Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images 28 of 45Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images 29 of 45Singer/songwriter Waylon Jennings and Dolly Parton attend the premier for Parton’s film The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas at Opryland on July 21, 1982, in Nashville, Tennessee. R. Diamond/Getty Images 30 of 45Parton and Actor Loni Anderson at that same premier.R. Diamond/Getty Images 31 of 45Parton in a publicity portrait for the film Rhinestone in 1984. 20th Century-Fox/Getty Images 32 of 45Dolly and Sylvester Stallone receive stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1985.Bill Nation/Sygma via Getty Images 33 of 45Dolly and Willie Nelson perform together in 1987. Bob D’Amico/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images 34 of 45Dolly poses for a portrait at Dollywood during the park’s early years in 1988.
The park even features a replica of Dolly’s childhood home in the Smoky Mountains.Ron Davis/Getty Images 35 of 45Daryl Hannah poses with Parton at a premiere for Steel Magnolias, in which they both played supporting roles, in 1989. Ron Davis/Getty Images 36 of 45Parton and Miss Piggy. Walt Disney Television via Getty Images 37 of 45Parton and Paul Reubens (as Pee Wee Herman).Walt Disney Television via Getty Images 38 of 45Kenny Rogers and Parton perform at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Oct. 29, 1990. Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images 39 of 45Calvin Klein and Parton during the 1994 Fall Collections Fashion Show at Bryant Park in New York City. Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images 40 of 45Parton rides on a truck at her Dollywood theme park circa 1997.Ron Davis/Getty Images 41 of 45Parton signs a guitar for charity during the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019.Robin Marchant/Getty Images for The Recording Academy 42 of 45Reese Witherspoon with Parton at the 2019 MusiCares Person of the Year award show, during which Parton was honored. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy 43 of 45Parton and god-daughter Miley Cyrus perform onstage during the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019.Lester Cohen/Getty Images for The Recording Academy 44 of 45Dolly Parton with host Seth Meyers backstage in 2019. Lloyd Bishop/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images 45 of 45Like this gallery?Share it:
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44 Glamorous Photos Of Dolly Parton, Country Music’s Greatest Diva View Gallery
If there was ever a Venus of rural Appalachia, Dolly Parton is it — and has been for decades. Indeed, it’s obvious from these glamorous pictures of her why she is widely considered the country-western icon of our time.
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Bullets And Booze: 31 Vintage Photos Of Outlaw Country
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How Did Patsy Cline Die? Inside The Plane Crash That Killed A Country Music Icon
1 of 45Country singers Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner in a candid portrait circa 1968 in Nashville, Tennessee. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images 2 of 45John Belushi is hugged by an enthusiastic Dolly Parton in New York, circa 1970. Art Zelin/Getty Images 3 of 45Chris Walter/WireImage 4 of 45Parton performing circa 1975.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images 5 of 45Parton rehearses for her New York nightclub debut at the West Village’s Bottom Line in 1977.Bettmann/Getty Images 6 of 45Parton at the Hollywood Paladium in 1977.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images 7 of 45Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images 8 of 45Parton on the Phil Donahue Show at WGN Television in Chicago, Illinois in 1977. Paul Natkin/Getty Images 9 of 45Country Music Association award winners, left to right, Roy Clark, Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, and Porter Wagoner.Bettmann/Getty Images 10 of 45Parton greets her fans at an in-store appearance at Peaches Records in Atlanta on May 3, 1977.Tom Hill/WireImage 11 of 45Parton leaves her hand-prints at Peaches Records. Tom Hill/Getty Images 12 of 45Performing onstage at the Mill Run Theater in Niles, Illinois, in 1977.
Here, Parton is playing what appears to be an Appalachian dulcimer and she can play eight instruments total.Paul Natkin/Getty Images 13 of 45Peter Stuart/Mirrorpix/Getty Images 14 of 45Parton giving an interview at the Holiday Inn in Chicago, Illinois, on April 30, 1977.
Parton has always been outspoken about her humble background and is quick to show off her Appalachian pride.Paul Natkin/Getty Images 15 of 45Parton somewhere in London in May 1977. Keystone/Getty Images 16 of 45David Redfern/Redferns 17 of 45Parton hugs British rocker Mick Jagger backstage in New York on May 14, 1977. Allan Tannenbaum/Getty Images 18 of 45Linda Ronstadt and Dolly Parton backstage at The Oakland Coliseum in 1977 in Oakland, California. Richard McCaffrey/ Michael Ochs Archive/ Getty Images 19 of 45Parton arrives in Sydney, Australia, on July 11, 1979. Trevor James Robert Dallen/Fairfax Media via Getty Images 20 of 45Parton arrives for the Oscars rehearsals in 1981. Her song “9 to 5” was nominated for best original song.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images 21 of 45The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images 22 of 45Parton at the opening party for the play Morning At Seven in 1980.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images 23 of 45Parton heads to an after-party at Harrah’s Club in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, in 1980.George Rose/Getty Images 24 of 45Photo by George Rose/Getty Images 25 of 45Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin circa 1981 in New York.
The three of them starred in the classic film Nine to Five in 1980, for which Parton’s eponymous song was written.Robin Platzer/Images/Getty Images 26 of 45Parton with Timothy Hutton and actress Lily Tomlin (right) at the Golden Globe Awards in 1981. Fotos International/Archive Photos/Getty Images 27 of 45Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton at Burt Reynolds Theater on July 15, 1982. Rich Mahan/Sun Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images 28 of 45Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images 29 of 45Singer/songwriter Waylon Jennings and Dolly Parton attend the premier for Parton’s film The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas at Opryland on July 21, 1982, in Nashville, Tennessee. R. Diamond/Getty Images 30 of 45Parton and Actor Loni Anderson at that same premier.R. Diamond/Getty Images 31 of 45Parton in a publicity portrait for the film Rhinestone in 1984. 20th Century-Fox/Getty Images 32 of 45Dolly and Sylvester Stallone receive stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1985.Bill Nation/Sygma via Getty Images 33 of 45Dolly and Willie Nelson perform together in 1987. Bob D’Amico/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images 34 of 45Dolly poses for a portrait at Dollywood during the park’s early years in 1988.
The park even features a replica of Dolly’s childhood home in the Smoky Mountains.Ron Davis/Getty Images 35 of 45Daryl Hannah poses with Parton at a premiere for Steel Magnolias, in which they both played supporting roles, in 1989. Ron Davis/Getty Images 36 of 45Parton and Miss Piggy. Walt Disney Television via Getty Images 37 of 45Parton and Paul Reubens (as Pee Wee Herman).Walt Disney Television via Getty Images 38 of 45Kenny Rogers and Parton perform at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Oct. 29, 1990. Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images 39 of 45Calvin Klein and Parton during the 1994 Fall Collections Fashion Show at Bryant Park in New York City. Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images 40 of 45Parton rides on a truck at her Dollywood theme park circa 1997.Ron Davis/Getty Images 41 of 45Parton signs a guitar for charity during the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019.Robin Marchant/Getty Images for The Recording Academy 42 of 45Reese Witherspoon with Parton at the 2019 MusiCares Person of the Year award show, during which Parton was honored. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy 43 of 45Parton and god-daughter Miley Cyrus perform onstage during the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019.Lester Cohen/Getty Images for The Recording Academy 44 of 45Dolly Parton with host Seth Meyers backstage in 2019. Lloyd Bishop/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images 45 of 45Like this gallery?Share it:
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And if you liked this post, be sure to check out these popular posts:
Bullets And Booze: 31 Vintage Photos Of Outlaw Country
33 Photos Of Segregation That Show A Country Divided By Race
How Did Patsy Cline Die? Inside The Plane Crash That Killed A Country Music Icon
1 of 45Country singers Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner in a candid portrait circa 1968 in Nashville, Tennessee. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images 2 of 45John Belushi is hugged by an enthusiastic Dolly Parton in New York, circa 1970. Art Zelin/Getty Images 3 of 45Chris Walter/WireImage 4 of 45Parton performing circa 1975.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images 5 of 45Parton rehearses for her New York nightclub debut at the West Village’s Bottom Line in 1977.Bettmann/Getty Images 6 of 45Parton at the Hollywood Paladium in 1977.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images 7 of 45Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images 8 of 45Parton on the Phil Donahue Show at WGN Television in Chicago, Illinois in 1977. Paul Natkin/Getty Images 9 of 45Country Music Association award winners, left to right, Roy Clark, Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, and Porter Wagoner.Bettmann/Getty Images 10 of 45Parton greets her fans at an in-store appearance at Peaches Records in Atlanta on May 3, 1977.Tom Hill/WireImage 11 of 45Parton leaves her hand-prints at Peaches Records. Tom Hill/Getty Images 12 of 45Performing onstage at the Mill Run Theater in Niles, Illinois, in 1977.
Here, Parton is playing what appears to be an Appalachian dulcimer and she can play eight instruments total.Paul Natkin/Getty Images 13 of 45Peter Stuart/Mirrorpix/Getty Images 14 of 45Parton giving an interview at the Holiday Inn in Chicago, Illinois, on April 30, 1977.
Parton has always been outspoken about her humble background and is quick to show off her Appalachian pride.Paul Natkin/Getty Images 15 of 45Parton somewhere in London in May 1977. Keystone/Getty Images 16 of 45David Redfern/Redferns 17 of 45Parton hugs British rocker Mick Jagger backstage in New York on May 14, 1977. Allan Tannenbaum/Getty Images 18 of 45Linda Ronstadt and Dolly Parton backstage at The Oakland Coliseum in 1977 in Oakland, California. Richard McCaffrey/ Michael Ochs Archive/ Getty Images 19 of 45Parton arrives in Sydney, Australia, on July 11, 1979. Trevor James Robert Dallen/Fairfax Media via Getty Images 20 of 45Parton arrives for the Oscars rehearsals in 1981. Her song “9 to 5” was nominated for best original song.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images 21 of 45The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images 22 of 45Parton at the opening party for the play Morning At Seven in 1980.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images 23 of 45Parton heads to an after-party at Harrah’s Club in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, in 1980.George Rose/Getty Images 24 of 45Photo by George Rose/Getty Images 25 of 45Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin circa 1981 in New York.
The three of them starred in the classic film Nine to Five in 1980, for which Parton’s eponymous song was written.Robin Platzer/Images/Getty Images 26 of 45Parton with Timothy Hutton and actress Lily Tomlin (right) at the Golden Globe Awards in 1981. Fotos International/Archive Photos/Getty Images 27 of 45Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton at Burt Reynolds Theater on July 15, 1982. Rich Mahan/Sun Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images 28 of 45Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images 29 of 45Singer/songwriter Waylon Jennings and Dolly Parton attend the premier for Parton’s film The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas at Opryland on July 21, 1982, in Nashville, Tennessee. R. Diamond/Getty Images 30 of 45Parton and Actor Loni Anderson at that same premier.R. Diamond/Getty Images 31 of 45Parton in a publicity portrait for the film Rhinestone in 1984. 20th Century-Fox/Getty Images 32 of 45Dolly and Sylvester Stallone receive stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1985.Bill Nation/Sygma via Getty Images 33 of 45Dolly and Willie Nelson perform together in 1987. Bob D’Amico/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images 34 of 45Dolly poses for a portrait at Dollywood during the park’s early years in 1988.
The park even features a replica of Dolly’s childhood home in the Smoky Mountains.Ron Davis/Getty Images 35 of 45Daryl Hannah poses with Parton at a premiere for Steel Magnolias, in which they both played supporting roles, in 1989. Ron Davis/Getty Images 36 of 45Parton and Miss Piggy. Walt Disney Television via Getty Images 37 of 45Parton and Paul Reubens (as Pee Wee Herman).Walt Disney Television via Getty Images 38 of 45Kenny Rogers and Parton perform at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Oct. 29, 1990. Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images 39 of 45Calvin Klein and Parton during the 1994 Fall Collections Fashion Show at Bryant Park in New York City. Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images 40 of 45Parton rides on a truck at her Dollywood theme park circa 1997.Ron Davis/Getty Images 41 of 45Parton signs a guitar for charity during the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019.Robin Marchant/Getty Images for The Recording Academy 42 of 45Reese Witherspoon with Parton at the 2019 MusiCares Person of the Year award show, during which Parton was honored. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy 43 of 45Parton and god-daughter Miley Cyrus perform onstage during the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019.Lester Cohen/Getty Images for The Recording Academy 44 of 45Dolly Parton with host Seth Meyers backstage in 2019. Lloyd Bishop/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images 45 of 45Like this gallery?Share it:
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And if you liked this post, be sure to check out these popular posts:
Bullets And Booze: 31 Vintage Photos Of Outlaw Country
33 Photos Of Segregation That Show A Country Divided By Race
How Did Patsy Cline Die? Inside The Plane Crash That Killed A Country Music Icon
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1 of 45Country singers Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner in a candid portrait circa 1968 in Nashville, Tennessee. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images 2 of 45John Belushi is hugged by an enthusiastic Dolly Parton in New York, circa 1970. Art Zelin/Getty Images 3 of 45Chris Walter/WireImage 4 of 45Parton performing circa 1975.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images 5 of 45Parton rehearses for her New York nightclub debut at the West Village’s Bottom Line in 1977.Bettmann/Getty Images 6 of 45Parton at the Hollywood Paladium in 1977.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images 7 of 45Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images 8 of 45Parton on the Phil Donahue Show at WGN Television in Chicago, Illinois in 1977. Paul Natkin/Getty Images 9 of 45Country Music Association award winners, left to right, Roy Clark, Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, and Porter Wagoner.Bettmann/Getty Images 10 of 45Parton greets her fans at an in-store appearance at Peaches Records in Atlanta on May 3, 1977.Tom Hill/WireImage 11 of 45Parton leaves her hand-prints at Peaches Records. Tom Hill/Getty Images 12 of 45Performing onstage at the Mill Run Theater in Niles, Illinois, in 1977.
Here, Parton is playing what appears to be an Appalachian dulcimer and she can play eight instruments total.Paul Natkin/Getty Images 13 of 45Peter Stuart/Mirrorpix/Getty Images 14 of 45Parton giving an interview at the Holiday Inn in Chicago, Illinois, on April 30, 1977.
Parton has always been outspoken about her humble background and is quick to show off her Appalachian pride.Paul Natkin/Getty Images 15 of 45Parton somewhere in London in May 1977. Keystone/Getty Images 16 of 45David Redfern/Redferns 17 of 45Parton hugs British rocker Mick Jagger backstage in New York on May 14, 1977. Allan Tannenbaum/Getty Images 18 of 45Linda Ronstadt and Dolly Parton backstage at The Oakland Coliseum in 1977 in Oakland, California. Richard McCaffrey/ Michael Ochs Archive/ Getty Images 19 of 45Parton arrives in Sydney, Australia, on July 11, 1979. Trevor James Robert Dallen/Fairfax Media via Getty Images 20 of 45Parton arrives for the Oscars rehearsals in 1981. Her song “9 to 5” was nominated for best original song.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images 21 of 45The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images 22 of 45Parton at the opening party for the play Morning At Seven in 1980.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images 23 of 45Parton heads to an after-party at Harrah’s Club in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, in 1980.George Rose/Getty Images 24 of 45Photo by George Rose/Getty Images 25 of 45Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin circa 1981 in New York.
The three of them starred in the classic film Nine to Five in 1980, for which Parton’s eponymous song was written.Robin Platzer/Images/Getty Images 26 of 45Parton with Timothy Hutton and actress Lily Tomlin (right) at the Golden Globe Awards in 1981. Fotos International/Archive Photos/Getty Images 27 of 45Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton at Burt Reynolds Theater on July 15, 1982. Rich Mahan/Sun Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images 28 of 45Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images 29 of 45Singer/songwriter Waylon Jennings and Dolly Parton attend the premier for Parton’s film The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas at Opryland on July 21, 1982, in Nashville, Tennessee. R. Diamond/Getty Images 30 of 45Parton and Actor Loni Anderson at that same premier.R. Diamond/Getty Images 31 of 45Parton in a publicity portrait for the film Rhinestone in 1984. 20th Century-Fox/Getty Images 32 of 45Dolly and Sylvester Stallone receive stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1985.Bill Nation/Sygma via Getty Images 33 of 45Dolly and Willie Nelson perform together in 1987. Bob D’Amico/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images 34 of 45Dolly poses for a portrait at Dollywood during the park’s early years in 1988.
The park even features a replica of Dolly’s childhood home in the Smoky Mountains.Ron Davis/Getty Images 35 of 45Daryl Hannah poses with Parton at a premiere for Steel Magnolias, in which they both played supporting roles, in 1989. Ron Davis/Getty Images 36 of 45Parton and Miss Piggy. Walt Disney Television via Getty Images 37 of 45Parton and Paul Reubens (as Pee Wee Herman).Walt Disney Television via Getty Images 38 of 45Kenny Rogers and Parton perform at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Oct. 29, 1990. Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images 39 of 45Calvin Klein and Parton during the 1994 Fall Collections Fashion Show at Bryant Park in New York City. Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images 40 of 45Parton rides on a truck at her Dollywood theme park circa 1997.Ron Davis/Getty Images 41 of 45Parton signs a guitar for charity during the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019.Robin Marchant/Getty Images for The Recording Academy 42 of 45Reese Witherspoon with Parton at the 2019 MusiCares Person of the Year award show, during which Parton was honored. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy 43 of 45Parton and god-daughter Miley Cyrus perform onstage during the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019.Lester Cohen/Getty Images for The Recording Academy 44 of 45Dolly Parton with host Seth Meyers backstage in 2019. Lloyd Bishop/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images 45 of 45Like this gallery?Share it:
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1 of 45Country singers Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner in a candid portrait circa 1968 in Nashville, Tennessee. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
2 of 45John Belushi is hugged by an enthusiastic Dolly Parton in New York, circa 1970. Art Zelin/Getty Images
3 of 45Chris Walter/WireImage
4 of 45Parton performing circa 1975.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
5 of 45Parton rehearses for her New York nightclub debut at the West Village’s Bottom Line in 1977.Bettmann/Getty Images
6 of 45Parton at the Hollywood Paladium in 1977.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
7 of 45Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images
8 of 45Parton on the Phil Donahue Show at WGN Television in Chicago, Illinois in 1977. Paul Natkin/Getty Images
9 of 45Country Music Association award winners, left to right, Roy Clark, Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, and Porter Wagoner.Bettmann/Getty Images
10 of 45Parton greets her fans at an in-store appearance at Peaches Records in Atlanta on May 3, 1977.Tom Hill/WireImage
11 of 45Parton leaves her hand-prints at Peaches Records. Tom Hill/Getty Images
12 of 45Performing onstage at the Mill Run Theater in Niles, Illinois, in 1977.
Here, Parton is playing what appears to be an Appalachian dulcimer and she can play eight instruments total.Paul Natkin/Getty Images
13 of 45Peter Stuart/Mirrorpix/Getty Images
14 of 45Parton giving an interview at the Holiday Inn in Chicago, Illinois, on April 30, 1977.
Parton has always been outspoken about her humble background and is quick to show off her Appalachian pride.Paul Natkin/Getty Images
15 of 45Parton somewhere in London in May 1977. Keystone/Getty Images
16 of 45David Redfern/Redferns
17 of 45Parton hugs British rocker Mick Jagger backstage in New York on May 14, 1977. Allan Tannenbaum/Getty Images
18 of 45Linda Ronstadt and Dolly Parton backstage at The Oakland Coliseum in 1977 in Oakland, California. Richard McCaffrey/ Michael Ochs Archive/ Getty Images
19 of 45Parton arrives in Sydney, Australia, on July 11, 1979. Trevor James Robert Dallen/Fairfax Media via Getty Images
20 of 45Parton arrives for the Oscars rehearsals in 1981. Her song “9 to 5” was nominated for best original song.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
21 of 45The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images
22 of 45Parton at the opening party for the play Morning At Seven in 1980.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
23 of 45Parton heads to an after-party at Harrah’s Club in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, in 1980.George Rose/Getty Images
24 of 45Photo by George Rose/Getty Images
25 of 45Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin circa 1981 in New York.
The three of them starred in the classic film Nine to Five in 1980, for which Parton’s eponymous song was written.Robin Platzer/Images/Getty Images
26 of 45Parton with Timothy Hutton and actress Lily Tomlin (right) at the Golden Globe Awards in 1981. Fotos International/Archive Photos/Getty Images
27 of 45Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton at Burt Reynolds Theater on July 15, 1982. Rich Mahan/Sun Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
28 of 45Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
29 of 45Singer/songwriter Waylon Jennings and Dolly Parton attend the premier for Parton’s film The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas at Opryland on July 21, 1982, in Nashville, Tennessee. R. Diamond/Getty Images
30 of 45Parton and Actor Loni Anderson at that same premier.R. Diamond/Getty Images
31 of 45Parton in a publicity portrait for the film Rhinestone in 1984. 20th Century-Fox/Getty Images
32 of 45Dolly and Sylvester Stallone receive stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1985.Bill Nation/Sygma via Getty Images
33 of 45Dolly and Willie Nelson perform together in 1987. Bob D’Amico/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images
34 of 45Dolly poses for a portrait at Dollywood during the park’s early years in 1988.
The park even features a replica of Dolly’s childhood home in the Smoky Mountains.Ron Davis/Getty Images
35 of 45Daryl Hannah poses with Parton at a premiere for Steel Magnolias, in which they both played supporting roles, in 1989. Ron Davis/Getty Images
36 of 45Parton and Miss Piggy. Walt Disney Television via Getty Images
37 of 45Parton and Paul Reubens (as Pee Wee Herman).Walt Disney Television via Getty Images
38 of 45Kenny Rogers and Parton perform at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Oct. 29, 1990. Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
39 of 45Calvin Klein and Parton during the 1994 Fall Collections Fashion Show at Bryant Park in New York City. Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
40 of 45Parton rides on a truck at her Dollywood theme park circa 1997.Ron Davis/Getty Images
41 of 45Parton signs a guitar for charity during the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019.Robin Marchant/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
42 of 45Reese Witherspoon with Parton at the 2019 MusiCares Person of the Year award show, during which Parton was honored. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
43 of 45Parton and god-daughter Miley Cyrus perform onstage during the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019.Lester Cohen/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
44 of 45Dolly Parton with host Seth Meyers backstage in 2019. Lloyd Bishop/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
45 of 45Like this gallery?Share it:
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44 Glamorous Photos Of Dolly Parton, Country Music’s Greatest Diva View Gallery
44 Glamorous Photos Of Dolly Parton, Country Music’s Greatest Diva View Gallery
44 Glamorous Photos Of Dolly Parton, Country Music’s Greatest Diva View Gallery
44 Glamorous Photos Of Dolly Parton, Country Music’s Greatest Diva View Gallery
44 Glamorous Photos Of Dolly Parton, Country Music’s Greatest Diva
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For those who don’t know what a musical marvel Parton is, she can play at least eight different instruments and has written hundreds of songs. Parton even managed to write two of her biggest hits, “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You,” on the very same day.
Her thoughtful narratives and enchanting arrangements have captivated audiences and inspired droves of other artists to sample and pay homage to her work.
It’s easy to gloss over the fact that this Venus of Appalachia is a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, prolific singer, producer, sometimes-actress, and businesswoman because — as these pictures of Dolly Parton show — her style is louder than her bragging. Parton’s historically been humble about her career and is often even quick to remind interviewers about her meager beginnings.
But as these photographs of Dolly Parton illustrate, she has since become a total bombshell.
Dolly Parton’s Humble Beginnings
RCA/Public DomainDolly Parton began her career in the late ’60s and continues to tour today.
Dolly Parton was born in the Great Smoky Mountains of rural East Tennessee in 1946. Her parents were farmers and so impoverished that the family lived in a one-room cabin with no electricity. Parton was the fourth of 12 children in a bursting and bustling backcountry home.
“The kids peed on me every night. We slept three and four in the bed,” Parton recalled in a 1978 interview for Playboy. “I would wash every night. And as soon as I go to bed, the kids would wet on me and I’d have to get up in the morning and do the same thing.”
There was hardly any cash to go around and certainly no extra money for emergency room visits. So when Parton almost severed three of her toes on broken glass, her mother had to doctor her. “My dad and my brothers, they had to hold me down… They put kerosene on it for antiseptic and momma took her sewing needles… and she literally had to sew my toes back on.”
Parton recalled how with so many children, she was expected to care for them as though she were a mother too. “My mother, since there were so many of us, used to say, ‘This one’s gonna be your baby.’”
Unfortunately, Parton lost ‘her baby’ – her newborn brother, Larry — when she was nine. “There is a lot of heartache and stuff that goes on with that.”
Amidst this chaos, Parton claimed that the family’s saving grace was their battery-operated radio on which they listened to the Grand Ole Opry.
Parton Heads For Nashville With A Cardboard Suitcase
Wikimedia CommonsParton helped raised her younger siblings and has no children of her own.
Long before she started writing her own songs, Parton was gifted her first guitar by her Uncle Lewis. By age 10, she was performing professionally, appearing on local television and getting airtime on Knoxville radio stations.
At age 11, Parton wrote “Puppy Love”, her first single, with the help of another Uncle, Bill Owens. Dolly and her grandmother took a 30-hour bus ride to a Louisiana studio to record it. Goldband Records released the single in 1959 — when Dolly was 13.
That same year, Parton made her Grand Ole Opry debut. Johnny Cash introduced her, telling the crowd that “we’ve got a little girl here from up in East Tennessee. Her daddy’s listening to the radio at home and she’s gonna be in real trouble if she doesn’t sing tonight, so let’s bring her out here.”
Her performance commanded three encores.
She boarded the first bus bound for Nashville the day after she finished high school. Her suitcase was made of cardboard and it was filled with songs. It would take some time, but Parton eventually secured her first songwriting deal. Soon she had her first regular gig on the Porter Wagoner Show.
From there, the blonde-haired beauty quickly became a success. The rest is history.
Parton’s Private Life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IW25foOMkwI
You wouldn’t know it from the media, but Parton is, in fact, married — and has been for over 50 years. She met her husband, Carl Dean, at the Wishy-Washy Laundromat on the first night she arrived in Nashville in 1964.
Parton said of their meeting, “I graduated on a Friday night, went to Nashville on a Saturday morning with dirty clothes and I went to a laundromat looking for anything but love.”
None of the pictures of Dolly Parton above feature Dean, who is notorious for his ability to stay under the radar.
Parton too keeps something private from the public: a collection of tattoos. Yes, Dolly Parton has a couple tattoos that she says she originally got for her own enjoyment and to cover up scars. There are very few pictures of Dolly Parton exposing her tattoos and allegedly, only a few other stars have laid eyes on them.
The song “I Will Always Love You,” made famous by Whitney Houston, was actually written by Parton for Porter Wagoner in the early ’70s. Kevin Costner allegedly asked Parton first if he could use the song in his movie, The Bodyguard, and Houston’s version was an instant hit in 1992.
Parton was reportedly thankful to Houston for breathing new life into the song, which she has said was one of her favorite pieces. “I was just a girl with the big hair and big tits and a big personality, but I think that one kind of pointed a finger at me as a serious songwriter… That one will stand out in my mind forever.”
Building Dollywood And Philanthropic Endeavors
Parton has never forgotten what it was like to grow up with nothing and has donated her time and money to a variety of philanthropic organizations including the United Way, the Save the Music Foundation, the Make-a-Wish program, and a couple of HIV/AIDS charities.
Parton also founded the Dollywood Foundation which, for six months, distributed $1,000 monthly to families who lost their primary residence in the massive 2016 Tennessee wildfires.
The Dollywood Foundation also oversees a massive literacy program called Imagination Library. Parton said it was established to honor her father who never learned to read. The program mails free books to children up to the age of five and covers an insane area within the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland.
In 1986, Parton opened the theme park Dollywood and it has since been transformed into a family-friendly love letter to the Smoky Mountains. Ironically, Parton alleges that she has never ridden any of the rides at the park.
“I got so much to lose, like my wig or my shoes… I’m gonna have some handsome man mess it up, I don’t want some ride doing it.” She joked.
Parton has been quoted as saying of her career that, “My dream was to make as many people happy as I could in this life.” And it seems she’s done just that.
If you enjoyed this collection of Dolly Parton pictures, then you’ll love these 27 vintage photos of Raquel Welch. Then, for more in country-western music history, read about the strange circumstances surrounding John Denver’s fatal plane crash.
