Dolly Parton, A.K.A., “The Book Lady”
Photo Courtesy of Curtis Hilbun
Beloved country music star, often named the “Queen of Country,” Dolly Parton, died at the age of 80 on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. Parton was more than a song-writer; she was also a philanthropist, producer, and beloved by many across the world, as reported by CNBC.
According to CNBC, Dolly Parton “was around six when she wrote her first song” and “never stopped making music after that.” She has written over 3,000 songs throughout her life, as reported by WSMV4 News, earning 55 Grammy nominations with 10 wins, as per the official GRAMMY website. Some of her most well-known songs, according to WSMV, include “9 to 5,” “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You,” and “Yellow Roses” to name just a few.
Dolly Parton was also known for her signature look which was inspired by “ a woman she would see walking around her Tennessee hometown in tight skirts and high heels, with red nails, red lipstick and peroxided hair,” as Dolly explained per CNBC. Her signature look helped to create the memorable, iconic woman we remember today.
While Dolly Parton was well-known for her music, she was also a generous person. Parton was born and raised in Appalachia—specifically, in Locust Ridge, Tennessee—which contributed to both her love of country music and her passion for helping others, as per the GRAMMY website. Dollyparton.com lists many of her various philanthropic endeavors, including giving graduates in her local county 500 dollars for graduating high school, lowering the dropout rates by about 30 percent, as recognized by TODAY. According to Dollyparton.com, she also contributed funding to the research on the COVID-19 vaccine, which saved at least 14.4 million lives, as estimated by the National Library of Medicine. Parton also contributed to long-term aid for those who suffered from wildfires, including aid for the firemen who helped fight the fires and donated money to disaster relief, as referenced by Dollyparton.com.
That is not all; Dolly Parton said that her initiative to inspire kids’ love of reading with her Imagination Library foundation “was probably the most important thing [she] had ever done.” The website demonstrates the global reach of the Imagination Library, with programs in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Canada, and Australia. This initiative has donated over 300 million books around the world since its start, serving millions of children around the world, according to NPR.
According to WSMV, “Parton created the program in honor of her father, who could not read or write, but she considered the smartest man she knew.” From birth until age five, children in the program receive one book a month, which can be up to 60 books in their time in the program, WSMV further documented. The program includes a bilingual book program, as explained on the Imagination Library’s website, which helps to create an accessible way for children and families who speak Spanish to access literature. The program also includes braille books, as per WSMV. E News reported that Parton “always wanted to be remembered for her work through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library,” stating that she preferred the title “the book lady” as opposed to the “country music queen.”
States across the country are “honoring the late Queen of Country by recognizing Sept. 25 as Dolly Parton Day,” as per WBALTV, with the date being “a numerical play on one of the country music icon’s most popular songs, ‘9 to 5.” This day is being celebrated to remember both the talented musician whose music stands the test of time, and the philanthropist who did so much for the people of her small town, the nation, and the world.