Dolly Parton is one of the best known female country and western singers in the world. She is also the most decorated country performer of all time with 26 number one hits, 41 top 10 albums, and over 100 charted singles. Combined, Parton's sales are over 100 million world-wide. She has seven Grammys and has been named Entertainer of the Year by the Country Music Association, the group's highest honor. In 1984, Parton was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Before her fame, however, Parton was one of twelve children. Born in Sevierville, Tennessee, the Parton family was very poor and lived in a small home in the Great Smoky Mountains. Music was very important to the family, though, and three of Parton's siblings are singers while another is a songwriter. Parton begin performing at a young age, and at thirteen, she recorded on a small label and made appearances at the Grade Ole Opry in Nashville. When she graduated high school, she moved to Nashville, where she met Carl Dean. The two married in 1966 and are still married, though Dean very rarely makes public appearances with his wife.

Dolly Parton began as a bubblegum pop singer for Monument Records, but she failed in the genre. However, Parton was also working as a songwriter at the time, and one of her songs hit number six on the country charts. Monument agreed to allow her another shot as a country singer, and her first song, "Dumb Blonde," reached number 24. Her second, "Something Fishy," made it to 17 and was enough to secure Parton a chance at a full-length album. "Hello I'm Dolly" was released in 1967, which launched her career.

Parton has done more than just country music, though. After her first album was released, she was asked to join Porter Wagoner on his weekly country music TV show. She's also written over 600 songs and won two dozen different BMI awards for her compositions. Later, Parton would return to the pop genre, selling a million copies of her 1977 album "Here You Come Again" and gaining a top-ten pop single. Many of her later songs would climb the pop and country charts at the same time, making her one of the first to cross between the two genres. Parton would also move to the bluegrass genre in the mid 90's as country music moved away from her style.

Beginning in the mid 70's, Parton began expanding her career to television. She attempted a variety show, which lasted only one season. It wasn't until 1980 that Parton hit it big in film with Jane Fonda's 9 to 5. This led to a number of other films and animated voice-over work. She also owns Sandollar productions, which, among other things, has produced the popular Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Dollywood, a country/western theme park.

Parton continues to be active in the music industry today and is also known for her large philanthropic donations.