20 Businesses Dolly Parton Launched Over Her Career

When one says the name Dolly Parton , for most the immediate image that comes to mind is a globally beloved superstar and Country Music Hall of Famer known for her enduring songs, her charismatic personality, larger-than-life style, rags-to-riches story of grit and dedication, as well as her charitable efforts such as her Imagination Library. But longtime Parton fans have also watched over the decades as the East Tennessee native has steadily built a multifaceted business empire that has made her one of the world’s most recognizable, and enduring, stars.

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Her songs including “9 to 5,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You” established her as a songwriting powerhouse, while her performances, recordings and collaborations helped make her an entertainment legend. In the process, Parton’s business acumen was apparent early on, as she retained ownership of many of the songs she wrote, including famously turning down Elvis Presley ‘s offer to record the Parton-written “I Will Always Love You” because Presley’s manager, Col. Tom Parker , insisted that Parton give up half of her publishing royalties on the song in the process.

In a 2020 Billboard cover story , Parton said, “That was one of the hardest things I ever had to do, because I loved Elvis.”

Creatively, she proved herself to be adept in multiple lanes, from music to books to movies. Parton has also used her musical success as a foundation for an increasingly diverse portfolio of business ventures, ranging from her famed Dollywood theme park in Sevier County, Tenn., to her soon-to-be opened SongTeller Hotel in Nashville.

Beyond music and entertainment, Parton — who died on Aug. 25 at the age of 80 — worked hard to build her name, image and music into a powerful, versatile global brand. That brand has spanned across an array of business and licensing categories ranging from beauty and food to hospitality and pet products.

Below, Billboard highlights some of Parton’s abundant business endeavors, partnerships and/or licensing deals that she has launched through the decades, and how she’s turned her songs into an enduring business enterprise. While this list is by no means comprehensive, it helps to highlight the breadth and diversity of the Parton business acumen.