Godmother of Miley Cyrus.
Had such a miserable time during filming of Straight Talk (1992), that she effectively retired from big screen acting. All her work since has been television work or appearances as herself.
Her cousin is adult actress and model Julia Parton, formally known as Nina Alexander.
Her duet, Islands in the Stream, with fellow country singer Kenny Rogers was ranked the #1 duet of all time on CMT 100 greatest country duets of all time.
Her iconic hit song, "I Will Always Love You", was voted the No. 1 song on CMT 100 Greatest Love Songs of Country Music (2004) (TV).
Her late father Robert was one of 15 children, and her mother Avie (Owens) was one of 10 children.
Her Oscar nominated song "9 To 5" from Nine to Five (1980) was ranked #78 while her song writing contribution, "I Will Always Love You", from The Bodyguard (1992) came in at #65 on The American Film Institute's list of AFI's 100 Years... 100 Songs: America's Greatest Music in the Movies (2004) (TV).
Her song "Jolene" was also covered by Olivia Newton-John. Ms. Newton- John sang it at a taped concert in the Dee Events Center in Ogden, Utah.
Her theme park 'Dollywood' in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is the most popular tourist attraction in the state according to the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.
Honored with a lifetime membership to Girl Scouts of Tanasi Council, a chapter of Girl Scouts of America, on June 15, 2007.
In 1978 she became one of the few celebrities to have their own pinball machine. Manufactured by Bally Manufacturing Company. The "Dolly" pinball machine played Dolly's #1 single "Here You Come Again" while the pinball machine was active. This item is a highly sought after piece of Dolly Parton memorabilia.
In 1986 she was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
In 1987 she was among the women honored by Ms. Magazine as "Woman of the Year".
In 1993 she was honored with the Country Music Association's very first "Country Music Honors" Award. As of 2009, she is still the sole recipient of this honor.
In 2006 she was awarded the Lindy Boggs Award from The Stennis Center for Public Service. She becomes the first nonpolitical recipient.
In 2006, she donated $500,000 to Fort Sanders Medical Center.
In 2008 Parton was commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel. The highest honor given in the state of Kentucky [USA].
In 2009 the University of Tennessee - Knoxville presented Parton with an Honorary Doctor of Humane and Musical Letters Degree. Parton was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters Degree from Carson-Newman College in 1990.
In December 2010, Parton released her first ever officially licensed calendar for the 2011 year.
In February 2011, Parton took part in "The Boot Campaign" by The Boot Girls. Parton posed in a photo campaign wearing a pair of sequin cargo pants and combat boots in order to support America's troops and families.