Top 5 Best Things About Our Rhinestone Angel: Dolly Parton

This week, the world lost some of its sparkle with the death of country music legend, philanthropist, and all-around amazing woman Dolly Rebecca Parton. Here are just some of the many amazing things she achieved over her lifetime.

1.  Dolly Parton Was One of Twelve Siblings.

Dolly was born in the small rural community of Locust Ridge, East Tennessee, on January 19^th 1946. The future superstar was the fourth oldest of twelve siblings, all living together in a two-bedroom cabin with a tin roof. You can even visit a replica of this cabin in Dollywood, TN! 

Parton’s father was so poor he couldn’t even pay the doctor for her safe birth, so instead he exchanged a sack of cornmeal, and the doctor gave us a legend! Dolly would later attribute her choice to remain childfree to helping to raise so many siblings. Even when Dolly married her husband Carl Dean in 1966, the newlyweds took in four of Parton’s siblings and raised them until adulthood.

2. Dolly Parton Wrote Two of Her Biggest Hits on the Same Day (…Maybe).

Two of Parton’s most famous songs, Jolene and I Will Always Love You, were said to be written on the same day! Both were definitely written and recorded in 1973. The same-day rumour comes from a 2017 radio interview where Parton commented that she found an old cassette with both of the initial songwriting efforts for both hit songs on it. Parton said if it wasn’t the same day, it was the same week or period of time she wrote them.

Whether it was the same day or the same week, it’s still incredibly impressive!

3. Dolly Parton was an Executive Producer on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Dolly was listed as an executive producer on Buffy (1997-2003). Parton was initially very involved behind the scenes of the cult show. Leading actress Sarah Michelle Gellar remembers the cast getting Christmas gifts from the country star despite never actually meeting her. When Gellar was told that Parton complimented the show and her performance, she thought, “Oh, I can die now. Dolly Parton knows who I am and thinks I’m good.” (People Magazine, 2026)

One feminist icon creates another. 

4. Dolly Parton was Never a Millionaire.

Despite her many years in the industry, Dolly Parton never became a millionaire because she never allowed herself to become one. Parton gave away so much money to charities, including the American Red Cross, several HIV/AIDS charities, and poured thousands back into her childhood home of the Great Smoky Mountains. Helping to fight wildfires and educate local children.

A charity close to Parton’s heart was started in 1995: Dollywood Foundation’s Imagination Library. The Foundation mails a new, free children’s book to children around the world from their birth until they start school. The program aims to combat childhood illiteracy and was founded in honour of Parton’s father, Robert Lee Parton. Due to his impoverished background, Robert Lee Parton never learned to read or write; Dolly always spoke of both her parents with great love, calling them incredibly smart and rich in things money can’t buy like kindness and understanding.

5. Dolly Parton is a Gay Icon. 

Nowadays, many lay claim to the title of ‘Gay Icon,’ but Dolly walked the walk as it were. In the 80’s and 90s, while the government and other public figures remained silent about the AIDS crisis, Parton pushed for compassion and research. In 1994 she gave her song You Gotta Be My Baby to a charity album raising funds for research and awareness. She also lent her voice to Public Service Announcements, particularly aimed at rural communities that saw AIDS as an urban issue.

Dolly Parton wrote Travelin’Thru for the movie Transamerica in 2005. The film starred Felicity Huffman as a transgender woman travelling across America with her son. Parton’s song was nominated for ‘Best Original Song’ at the Oscars. Despite not winning, Parton performed the song at the 2006 Oscars, bringing a transgender story to one of the world’s biggest stages.

Over the years, Parton received a lot of hate and even death threats due to her support of the LGBTQIA+ community. Particularly from her Christian fanbase. Like the icon she is, Parton remained unwavering in her support, stating that she loves and respects everyone.

“If people want to pass judgement, they’re already sinning. I try to love everybody.” – Dolly Parton