Dolly Parton is not only one of the iconic legends of the music industry but has also transformed the history of country music in her own way. With hits like Jolene, the 78-year-old icon seems ready to continue adding titles to her repertoire.
During the course of Friday, January 19, the star announced new music and released four previously unpublished songs with a deluxe version of her album Rockstar. This was her first album in the rock ‘n’ roll genre, which was released in 2023.
The author of I Will Always Love You has become one of the richest singers of all time, especially after performing some of the most memorable hits. Currently, she holds the title of being one of the celebrities with the most money in the bank.
How much fortune does Dolly Parton have?
Dolly is not only a successful singer and actress, but she also has various professions, including author, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. So far, she has written and performed country music hits for over 50 years, and her earnings have been on the rise for many years.
Dolly Parton attends the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 3, 2016. (Source: David Becker/Getty Images)
She has released 41 country albums that have reached the top 10, and she has had 25 number one singles. Being a legend in the genre has undoubtedly brought her benefits and many of them have been financial. As of 2024, Parton has a fortune of $650 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
The 78-year-old singer has invested a lot of her hard-earned money in her hometown, Tennessee. This was done through philanthropic and business efforts, as the Dollywood theme park is the 24th most visited theme park in the U.S. and receives nearly 3 million visitors annually.
Why Dolly Parton earned a lot of money thanks to Whitney Houston?
Dolly Parton earned a significant amount of money in royalties thanks to Whitney Houston‘s version of her song I Will Always Love You. Houston recorded the song for the soundtrack of the 1992 film The Bodyguard, quickly becoming a major hit and one of her most iconic performances.
The country star wrote and originally recorded the song in 1973. She retained the publishing rights to her music and when Whitney’s version became a chart-topping success, she earned substantial royalties from radio airplay, sales and use in various media. Houston’s rendition significantly contributed to Dolly’s earnings from the song, totaling millions of dollars in royalties.
