Dolly Parton

Stardom might have seemed like an impossible dream for most people born in rural Tennessee in the 1940s—but Dolly Parton wasn't most people. From an early age, Parton knew she wanted to be on stage, and as she helped take care of her younger siblings, worked around her family's home, and attended school in hand-me-down clothes, she set her mind on becoming a star. Parton started writing songs, playing music, and performing in front of an audience when she was still in elementary school, determined to make a living from her music. After she graduated from high school, she moved to Nashville, Tennessee, the country music capital, and began paving the way to what would become one of the most successful entertainment careers in music history.

Dolly Parton is a renowned musician, actor, and philanthropist. From her many songs, music awards, and top recordings to leading roles in movies to the millions of dollars she has contributed to disaster relief, literacy, and medical research, Parton has become one of the world's most recognized legends. And she did it all without forgetting her roots.