Country music legend Dolly Parton has been named a Guinness World Records (GWR) Icon this August 5. Why? For holding 11 record-breaking titles. The recognition was delivered at her Nashville studio as part of the GWR’s 70th anniversary.
Parton can boast having had top 10 country albums in more decades on the Billboard country chart than any other artist (male or female, alive or dead), the most studio albums released by a female country artist, and the most Grammy nominations for a female country performer. She is also the first country singer nominated for an EGOT—an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony.
GWR editor-in-chief Craig Glenday praised Parton’s influence beyond music, citing her work in education, support for the poor, and the Imagination Library (her free book gifting program for children). He called her “a living legend.”
Parton released her debut album in 1967 and rose to fame in the 1970s. She made her film debut in the iconic ‘9 to 5’ (1980) and continues to record and inspire younger generations. She is also the co-owner of the Dollywood theme park in Tennessee.
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