Dolly Parton

Dolly Rebecca Parton, born January 19, 1946, in Locust Ridge near the Great Smoky Mountains, rose from a childhood of poverty as the fourth of twelve children to become a Grammy-winning country music icon, singer-songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman.[2][4] She gained fame partnering with Porter Wagoner in the 1960s and 1970s, scoring hits like 'Jolene' and 'I Will Always Love You,' before launching a solo career with over 50 albums and collaborations including 'Islands in the Stream' with Kenny Rogers.[1][2] Parton has sold over 100 million records, funded initiatives like the Imagination Library, and contributed to COVID-19 vaccine research.[2][5]