Dolly Parton’s Life in Photos: From Smoky Mountain Girl to Queen of Country Music

Dolly Parton, one of the most celebrated singers, songwriters, performers, and philanthropists, passed away at the age of 80 in Nashville on Tuesday (Aug. 25). To commemorate her life and career, Billboard is presenting a photojournalistic journey through her remarkable existence. Parton was born over 30 years before the advent of digital cameras; hence, the earliest images of her showcase her radiant smile in a time when her unmistakable voice was only known to her family and the serene Appalachian surroundings of her humble home in Locust Ridge, Tennessee.

Her journey soon took her to Nashville, where she commenced her pursuit of a music career, ultimately signing her first record deal in 1965 after relocating to the city. It was here that she met her husband of nearly six decades, the late Carl Dean. This marked the beginning of a captivating era of musical prowess, which commenced with her debut album "Hello, I’m Dolly" that led her to an appearance on The Porter Wagoner Show.

Their professional alliance lasted for seven years, during which she released numerous chart-topping hits such as "I Will Always Love You," "Jolene," and "9 to 5." Post their split in 1974, Parton continued to flourish in her solo career, amassing 10 Grammy Awards and 22 Billboard Hot 100 entries. Beyond her musical genius, Parton left an indelible mark on pop culture with her iconic appearance, acts of kindness, activism, generosity, and industrialism.

Her legacy includes the establishment of Dollywood, an amusement park, and the Imagination Library program, both launched in 1986 and 1995 respectively. As the world mourns the loss of a true icon, take a visual tour of Parton's extraordinary life through the following series of photographs.