Dolly Parton is a treasure who over the years has come to embody a variety of things for many different people. She’s a country music star, a philanthropist, a legend, and an icon.
Over the course of her 70-year-career, Dolly has done it all. Get to know everything you thought you knew when you check out these 10+ completely random facts about Dolly Parton that fans didn’t know.
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1. Dolly started her own library.
Back in 1995, Dolly started the Imagination Library . It’s a program designed to help ship high-quality books to children all around the world, completely free of charge.
Once enrolled, families will receive books from the time their children are born until they begin school.
2. She has a special connection to Dolly the Sheep.
Remember the sheep that scientists successfully cloned in the ’90s? According to the late scientist, Keith Campbell, the gland used to clone the sheep was a mammary gland.
As he eloquently put it, Dolly was the aptest namesake.
3. Dolly Parton once entered a Dolly Parton lookalike contest — and lost!
The way that Dolly tells the story, she tried to exaggerate her look too much. Not only did she not win, but she didn’t even place in the top three!
4. She’s in the Guinness Book of World Records — twice!
Dolly has the world record for “Most Hits on a US Hot Country Songs Chart by a Female Artist” with 107 hits! She also holds the record for “Most Decades with a Top 20 Hit on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart” with 6 decades.
5. Dolly is a friend and advocate for the gay community.
Dollywood began participating in annual “Gay Days” beginning in the early 2000s. Every guest of the park is encouraged to wear a red shirt , in order to create a sea of support and togetherness.
6. Dolly and her husband have been married for over 50 years!
In an era of ever-increasing divorce rates, it really makes me smile to know that true love still exists.
Dolly and Carl Dean were wed in 1966 and remain madly in love to this day.
7. She has her own theme park!
That’s right, Dollywood opened to the public in 1986. Since then, it’s grown into a world-class resort/amusement park.
But don’t expect to find Dolly waiting to ride any of the rollercoasters. She has a very ironic fear:
Dolly has never once ridden a rollercoaster at Dollywood!
Or anywhere for that matter. Dolly gets terrible motion sickness , a trait she says that she inherited from her father.
According to her, she used to get nauseous riding the bus to and from school!
8. She’s the undisputed Queen of Country Music.
Dolly is more than just an artist. She’s a mogul, an icon, and above all else — a businesswoman. Over the course of her career, she has amassed an astronomical net worth totaling more than $600 million .
9. Dolly bought her childhood home.
I think that this is a dream that many people can relate to on some level. Dolly explained that she had to spend millions in order to make the house have the aesthetic that it was only worth $50.
10. She turned down Elvis Presley!
“I Will Always Love You” was a career-defining song for Dolly. It was so popular that the King of Rock n’ Roll wanted a piece of the pie.
Dolly was offered the chance to perform the song will Elvis as a duet, but promptly shut down the offer when she was asked to relinquish half of the recording rights .
11. Dolly is Miley Cyrus’ godmother.
Dolly and Miley’s father, Billy-Ray, go back many years. When Miley was born, Billy-Ray insisted that Dolly accept the honor , which she gladly did.
Miley is incredibly proud of her godmother as well, so much so that she covered one of her songs!
12. Miley and her godmother also have a brilliant version of Dolly’s hit song, “Jolene.”
If you aren’t already a believer, this video will knock you off your feet. Miley’s voice is powerful and she does her godmother proud.
Could we possibly see a Miley/Dolly Christmas album in the future?
13. She was a lifelong friend to Kenny Rogers.
Kenny and Dolly performed together countless times over the years but they will always be remembered for their immortal duet ” Islands In The Stream .”
The song was written by The BeeGees but made famous by Dolly and Kenny.
When Kenny passed away earlier this year, Dolly performed a tearful tribute in his memory.
“Sweet Music Man” was one of Kenny Rogers’ most beloved songs. Dolly’s cover is a somber rendition that brings a whole new meaning to the lyrics.
