- - Happy 80th Birthday, Dolly Parton! See the Country Icon's Life and Career in Photos

Andrea Wurzburger, Brendan LeJanuary 19, 2026 at 3:30 AM

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Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton has become a national treasure and a music legend over the course of her enduring career.

The country star, who turns 80 on Jan. 19, 2026, is Nashville's pride and joy. With 70 years of experience under her belt, Parton has done it all: She has released 50 studio albums exploring many genres, won 11 Grammys and three Emmys, wrote 25 No. 1 hits, starred in timeless films, founded charities and even opened her own theme park.

"Look at all I’ve done in 80 years. I feel like I’m just getting started," Parton told PEOPLE in her 2025 cover story. "If you allow yourself to get old, you will. I say, ‘I ain’t got time to get old!’ I ain’t got time to dwell on that. That’s not what I’m thinking about.”

To celebrate her milestone birthday, look back at the singer, songwriter, actress and icon's life and career in photos.

01 of 25

Dolly Parton's Childhood

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Dolly Rebecca Parton was born on Jan. 19, 1946, in a cabin in Pittman Center, Tenn. She is the fourth-eldest child of Avie Lee Caroline and Robert Lee Parton Sr.

02 of 25

Dolly Parton Marries Carl Dean

Dolly Parton/Instagram

Dolly Parton and Carl Dean

In 1966, she married the love of her life, Carl Dean, after two years of dating. The two were a notoriously private couple, with Dean rarely accompanying her to public events and avoiding the spotlight. They remained together until his death at age 82 on March 3, 2025.

03 of 25

Dolly Parton's Debut Album

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After a decade of success as a songwriter, she released her debut album Hello, I'm Dolly in 1967, beginning a six-decade music career.

04 of 25

Dolly Parton Performs on 'The Porter Wagoner Show'

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She became fast friends with fellow country singers like Porter Wagoner, performing on his variety show in 1974. Around this time, she also penned her No. 1 classic "I Will Always Love You," which Whitney Houston later covered for The Bodyguard soundtrack.

05 of 25

Dolly Parton Goes Mainstream

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By 1976, the country singer began positioning her music in a more pop-oriented directon. Her 1977 record New Harvest...First Gathering saw her cover pop and R&B classics like "My Girl" by the Temptations.

06 of 25

Dolly Parton at the Grammys

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Dolly Parton

Out of 55 nominations, Parton has won 11 trophies at the Grammys, picking up her first in 1979 and most recently in 2021, for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song.

07 of 25

Dolly Parton in '9 to 5'

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For 1980's 9 to 5, in which she costarred with Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda, Parton penned an Academy Award-nominated title track for the movie that has since become a working-class classic.

08 of 25

Dolly Parton in 'Rhinestone'

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She starred in the musical comedy Rhinestone opposite Sylvester Stallone. Though the film did not perform commercially, Parton earned two top 10 hits on the country charts with songs for the soundtrack, "Tennessee Homesick Blues" and "God Won't Get You."

09 of 25

Dolly Parton's Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

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Parton has made her mark all over the country — literally! The Nashville legend received her Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 1984 alongside Rhinestone costar Stallone.

10 of 25

Dolly Parton's Variety Show 'Dolly'

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She debuted her primetime variety show Dolly in 1987, which ran for 22 episodes and concluded in 1988.

11 of 25

Dolly Parton's Style

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Her fashion sense has become iconic in its own right, synonymous with maximalist country glam, complete with jeweled embellishments and massive wigs.

12 of 25

Dolly Parton in 'Steel Magnolias'

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She joined the star-studded ensemble of 1989's Steel Magnolias alongside Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Daryl Hannah and Shirley MacLaine.

13 of 25

Dolly Parton's Dollywood

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Parton bought an interest in theme park Silver Dollar City, and in 1986, the park reopened as "Dollywood."

14 of 25

Dolly Parton at the Grand Ole Opry

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Following her Grand Ole Opry debut at the age of 13, Parton has returned to the renowned venue multiple times over the years.

15 of 25

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

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She spoke about her initiative to promote literacy in children, Imagination Library, during a luncheon address at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

16 of 25

Dolly Parton on 'Reba'

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Her years-long friendship with fellow country star Reba McEntire led to a cameo in the "Fancy" singer's sitcom Reba.

17 of 25

Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus in 'Hannah Montana'

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Parton played the on-screen godmother to her real-life goddaughter Miley Cyrus in Disney Channel's Hannah Montana.

18 of 25

Dolly Parton at '9 to 5: The Musical'

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For penning the music and lyrics for 9 to 5: The Musical on Broadway, she earned her first Tony nomination for Best Original Score.

19 of 25

Dolly Parton Inducts Reba McEntire into the Country Music Hall of Fame

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A 1999 inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Parton returned in 2011 to give a speech in honor of her good friend McEntire.

20 of 25

Dolly Parton Begins Her Last Concert Tour

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In 2016, she embarked on her last full-scale concert tour, the Pure & Simple Tour, her biggest North American run of shows ever. Although she has not toured since, Parton continues to take the stage at a more limited capacity, with shorter concert series and one-off performances.

21 of 25

Dolly Parton Supporting Charities and Foundations

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Throughout her career, Parton has contributed to numerous philanthropic causes outside of her own endeavors, including performing at Nile Rodgers' We Are Family Foundation Gala.

22 of 25

'Dolly Parton's Heartstrings'

Netflix Dolly Parton

The 2019 Netflix anthology series Dolly Parton's Heartstrings depicted the stories and inspirations behind her most famous songs, including "Jolene" and "Two Doors Down."

23 of 25

Dolly Parton Gets Her Covid-19 Vaccine

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After donating $1 million toward research for the Covid-19 vaccine, she received her first shot in March 2021.

24 of 25

Dolly Parton Rings in 2023 with Miley Cyrus

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She made a special appearance to perform with Cyrus during her goddaughter's New Year's Eve special, during which they performed "Jolene."

25 of 25

Dolly Parton's Life Now

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Dolly Parton

Seven decades into her career, Parton continues to find new pursuits. In 2025, she released Star of the Show: My Life on Stage, reflecting on her many years in the industry with anecdotes and photos. Later in 2026, she will open Dolly: A True Original Musical — a show based on her life and career — on Broadway.

“I’m at that point in my life where I just want to be able to do good things that can be carried on. I’m proud of my legacy so far, and I hope to just continue to do things that might be of use to other people,” she told PEOPLE.

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