Dolly Parton’s legacy spans music, business, family, philanthropy and literacy. [Courtesy]
Dolly Parton was known around the world for her big blonde hair, dazzling stage outfits, distinctive voice and unforgettable country songs. But behind the glamorous image was a private woman, a devoted wife, shrewd businesswoman and passionate philanthropist who spent decades using her fame and fortune to improve the lives of others.
Born into poverty in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee in a family of 12 children, Parton began performing on radio and TV while still young. Her professional breakthrough came in 1967, at the age of 21, when she launched her career that would eventually make her world-class entertainers.
Parton died on August 25, aged 80, after a brief battle with cancer. Her death has turned attention to the less visible parts of a life she kept away from the limelight — her private marriage to Carl Dean, the business empire she built, philanthropy, relationship with children and questions surrounding her estate.
Her story was bigger than music. It was about family, privacy, business, philanthropy and giving people a better start in life.
