WASHINGTON (SBG/WKRC) - Singer songwriter Dolly Parton turned 76 on Wednesday. Born the fourth child of 12, her official website says she grew up in Locust Ridge, nestled against the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee.
The typical saying is from "rags to riches" but in Parton's case, it's more of a "rags-to-rhinestones story." The country superstar is still working "9 to 5," and doing what she loves. Her trademark style (hair as high as Heaven and heels almost as tall) is recognized around the world; her talent earning her recognitions and awards for decades.
In 1999, Parton was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Parton is one of the few people to have received an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony. In 2004, she earned the distinguished Living Legend Award from the U.S. Library of Congress.
Two years later, she was given the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors, but she didn't stop there. Five years after that, she was awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.
Parton has earned 50 Grammy nominations and has taken home 11 Grammys.
She has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, with 25 songs reaching no. 1 on the Billboard country music charts.
And consider what she has accomplished/how she has been honored in just the last few months:
- 3 Dolly Parton songs named to Rolling Stone's 500 greatest songs list
- Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire release music video for song together 'Does He Love You'
- Simone Biles, Sandra Oh, Dolly Parton and teachers named 'People of the Year'
- Dolly Parton breaks three Guinness World Records
- Dolly Parton to release first track from new album 'Run, Rose, Run'
- Dolly Parton to release first novel in March; available for pre-order now