A complete timeline of Dolly Parton's inspiring life and career
Before Dolly Parton was a country megastar, she grew up in a poor family in rural Tennessee.
Dolly Parton, a celebrated country music icon, passed away at the age of 80 on August 25, 2024. Born on January 19, 1946, in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, she grew up in a poor family in rural Tennessee, the fourth of 12 children. Her father, Robert Lee, was a tobacco farmer and construction worker who never learned to read or write.
Her mother, Avie Lee Owens, was a preacher's daughter who raised her children. Parton's mother sang and played guitar, and her uncle Bill Owens, who recognized her talent early, became her first manager. He secured her first regular performing role in 1956 on Knoxville's The Cas Walker Show, introducing her to multimillionaire businessman and TV host Johnny Cash.
Parton's first song, "Little Tiny Tassel Top," was written at the age of 5 and her first guitar was made out of an old mandolin and two bass guitar strings at age 6. She performed at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry for the first time at age 13, receiving three encores. Her first regular performance at the Opry was in 1969, and she was inducted 10 years later in 1979.
Parton's career took off in the 1960s with her songwriting partnership with her uncle Bill Owens, which led to their song "Put It Off Until Tomorrow" reaching the Top 10 in 1966. She married her husband Carl Dean in 1966.
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