How Much Money Does Dolly Parton Have?
American singer, songwriter, novelist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Dolly Parton is known for her work in the entertainment industry. Dolly Parton has a fortune estimated at $650 million. Dolly Parton has been creating and performing country music hits for nearly four decades. She’s had 25 No. 1 singles and 41 top-10 country albums to her name. Whitney Houston covered her songs “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You” for the film The Bodyguard, which made her one of the most popular singers of all time. She has sold more than 100 million CDs as a solo artist during her long and successful career. That doesn’t count the millions of records sold by other musicians who have used her songs. Through generosity and entrepreneurship, Dolly has invested a sizable chunk of her fortune back in her home state of Tennessee. Dollywood, her theme park, is the 24th most popular in the United States, with 3 million annual visitors. It was estimated that her charitable contributions totaled billions of dollars.
Early Life
Dolly Rebecca Parton was born in 1946 in Sevier County, Tennessee as the fourth of twelve children. Tobacco farming was in her father’s blood. When she was older, she recalled hearing that her father had given the doctor who delivered her a bag of oatmeal as payment for his services. Her early performances in the church were frequent reminders of the importance she placed on music throughout her life. By the age of 9, Parton was appearing on The Cas Walker Show and eventually was signed on the little Louisiana label, Goldband Records. The day after Dolly graduated from high school in 1964, she moved to Nashville. She gained popularity as a songwriter quite soon. She linked up with her uncle named Bill Owens in writing numerous charting singles.
In the end, Dolly’s solo career had a hard time getting off the ground for a number of years. In 1973, she finally scored a big hit with “Jolene.” In February 1974, the song climbed to the top of the country charts, and it also performed well on non-country charts around the world. On Rolling Stone’s list of 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, the song would be ranked 217th. According to Dolly, of all the songs she’s written, most versions of “Jolene” have been recorded by different artists.
Dolly parted ways with Porter Wagoner in April 1974, although he continued to create her songs until the end of the year.
I’ll Always Be in Your Hearts
In 1973, Dolly started working on the song “I Will Always Love You.” A seven-year professional association with Porter Wagoner came to an end when she penned the song. Dolly explored recording the song with Elvis, who expressed an interest in doing so, but Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis’ manager, required she give up half the publishing rights to the song. Dolly turned down the offer and began working on a solo version of the song.
The song climbed to the top of the country charts after its release on March 18, 1974. Originally released for the film “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” it was re-recorded for the sequel and went to number one a second time.
#RunRoseRun, the companion album to my novel with @JP_Books, is out now! Enjoy this collection of musical stories about dreamers and their journeys. 🌹 https://t.co/WdQOBHQxkE pic.twitter.com/b0mBAfNOGh
— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) March 4, 2022
Clive Davis, Whitney Houston’s mentor, and music producer was disappointed to discover how little Whitney’s musical talents were utilized in the early version of the film “The Bodyguard” in 1991. Whitney should sing a song in the movie’s climax sequence, Clive told producers, including Kevin Costner. “I Will Always Love You” was Costner’s personal choice, based on the feedback he received. One of the ten best-selling singles in history, Whitney Houston’s rendition lasted 14 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. As far as female artists are concerned, Whitney’s interpretation is in a league of its own.
Royalties
Whitney’s version of the song earned Dolly $10 million in royalties in the early 1990s, which works out to almost $20 million in today’s dollars. Afterward, she would make light of the fact that she had made “enough money to buy Graceland.” Dolly, as the sole owner of the songwriting and publishing rights, still earns about 8 cents for each radio play and $2 for every CD sold today, as a result.
Acting and Pop Stardom
Dolly Parton continued to have country hit singles in the top ten from 1974 until 1980. Between the years 1976 and 1977, she presented her own variety show on NBC. Her 1977 album “New Harvest… First Gathering,” which she self-produced, included a mix of pop and production. In addition to “My Girl,” she also performed “Higher and Higher,” two more R&B standards.
Dolly featured Jane Fonda and Lilly Tomlin in the 1980 film “9 to 5” She also composed and sang the film’s theme song. Dolly received an Academy Award nomination and four Grammy nominations for the song “9 to 5.” Grammys for Best Country Song and Best Country Vocal Performance went to her in the end.
These include “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” “Rhinestone,” “Steel Magnolias,” and “Joyful Noise,” all of which were directed by Dolly.
Life in the Private Sector
Dolly Dean tied the knot with Carl Thomas Dean in 1966. Dean avoids the limelight. In Nashville, he had an asphalt road-surface paving firm for most of his adult life. On the rare occasion that he does, it’s always with his wife. Carl, according to Dolly Parton, has only ever witnessed one of her live performances.
Even though she doesn’t have any of her own children, Dolly Parton is an active participant in the lives of her nieces and nephews, including serving as godmother to pop star Miley Cyrus.
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