“I still have my first paycheck. It was just, I think, a dollar or two that I got when I started as a songwriter with BMI, and I had some songs there that I had through the company, and in the mail I got this big old check for, like, a dollar and a half or something. Somebody had recorded one of my songs.”

American singer-songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman

Dolly Parton is an American singer-songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman. Born Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, she became known as the “Queen of Country” and emerged as one of the most successful performers in country music. She is also recognized for her wider cultural influence, especially through Dollywood and the Dollywood Foundation. With more than a hundred million records sold, she ranks among the best-selling music artists in history.