Dolly Parton Net Worth (Money & Salary) 2025

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Dolly Parton Net Worth (Money & Salary)
January 13, 2025
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Dolly Parton’s net worth – What is it exactly?

With a net worth of $650 million, Dolly Parton is a versatile American talent known for her roles as a singer, songwriter, actress, author, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Over a span of 50 years, Dolly has captivated audiences with 41 top 10 country albums and 25 #1 singles.

Highlighted by hits like “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You,” covered famously by Whitney Houston for The Bodyguard, Dolly has sold over 100 million albums worldwide as a solo artist. Aside from her successful music career, her philanthropic efforts and entrepreneurial ventures in Tennessee, including the popular Dollywood theme park, have solidified her legacy in the entertainment industry.

Early Days of Dolly Parton

Born in 1946 in Sevier County, Tennessee, as the fourth child among twelve siblings, Dolly Rebecca Parton grew up in modest circumstances, often described as extremely poor. Music shaped her early years, with church performances setting the stage for her future. At just 9 years old, she made her debut on The Cas Walker Show, later signing with the small label Goldband Records in Louisiana. After graduating high school in 1964, she wasted no time and moved to Nashville, kickstarting a successful songwriting career in collaboration with her uncle, Bill Owens.

Rise to Prominence

By 1965, Dolly, aged 19, had inked a deal with Monument Records, initially marketed as a pop singer but later finding her true calling in country music. Hits like “Dumb Blonde” and “Something Fishy” paved the way for her breakthrough album, 1967’s “Hello, I’m Dolly.” This album not only showcased her singing prowess but also featured her renditions of hit songs penned by her.

Partnership with Porter Wagoner

Joining “The Porter Wagoner Show” in 1968 was a pivotal moment for Dolly, spurring a successful collaboration with Porter Wagoner himself. The duo released multiple studio albums together, garnering chart-topping singles like “Please Don’t Stop Loving Me.” While her solo career struggled initially, hits like “Jolene” in 1973 elevated her status in the music industry, leading to a path of solo success.

(Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images)

The Classic “I Will Always Love You”

Dolly started crafting “I Will Always Love You” in 1973 as a tribute to Porter Wagoner. Despite Elvis Presley’s interest in the song, and later Whitney Houston’s rendition for the movie “The Bodyguard,” Dolly chose to retain full ownership of the song. Its initial release in 1974 marked a significant milestone with a chart-topping success, further cemented by a resurgence in 1982 for the film “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.”

In 1991, Clive Davis recognized the song’s potential for Whitney Houston after an early screening of “The Bodyguard,” leading to a legendary rendition loved worldwide.

Costner agreed with the feedback to choose the song “I Will Always Love You” for Whitney to sing in the climax scene of the movie. Deciding on his own, the song went on to spend 14 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the ten best-selling singles of all time, shipping more than 20 million copies. Whitney’s version of the song is the best-selling single by a female artist of all time.

Royalties

In the early 1990s, Dolly earned $10 million in royalties thanks to Whitney’s version, roughly $20 million after adjusting for inflation. She later joked that she made “enough money to buy Graceland” from the song. To this day, as the owner of the writing and publishing rights, Dolly earns roughly 8 cents per radio play and $2 per album sold.

Pop Stardom and Acting Career

Continuing between 1974 and 1980 to chart country hits, Dolly had eight singles that reached #1. Hosting her own variety show from 1976 to 1977, she showcased a different style with her 1977 self-produced album “New Harvest… First Gathering,” including covers of R&B classics “My Girl” and “Higher and Higher.”

Starring in the movie “9 to 5” in 1980 alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, Dolly wrote and performed the title track for the film. This song earned her an Academy Award nomination and four Grammy nominations. Ultimately, she won the Grammys for Best Country Song and Best Country Vocal Performance.

Other significant films in Dolly’s career include 1982’s “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” 1984’s “Rhinestone,” 1989’s “Steel Magnolias,” and 2012’s “Joyful Noise.”

Suzanne Cordeiro/AFP/Getty Images

Personal Life

Marrying Carl Thomas Dean in 1966, Dolly’s husband, known for avoiding publicity, spent much of his life managing an asphalt road-surface-paving business in Nashville. He rarely attends public events with his wife, and according to Dolly, he has only seen her perform publicly once.

Dolly and Dean were involved in raising several of Dolly’s younger siblings. Although they have no children of their own, she actively participates in the lives of her nieces and nephews and serves as the godmother to performer Miley Cyrus.

Tennessee Mansion

Owns a vast 60+ acre estate called Willow Lake Plantation in Brentwood, Tennessee, Dolly’s property features a main mansion with 23 rooms.

Data is from 2023 and 2024 and forecast data is for 2025 and 2026. We also expand the forecast data to 2027 and 2028.