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19 Photos of Dolly Parton That Will Take You Back in Time: Revisit Her Decades as the Queen of Country

The '9 to 5' singer has dominated the country music scene since 1974

By Katie Amey Updated: September 12, 2024

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One of the most iconic faces — and style stars — in country music, the legendary Dolly Parton, has been winning awards and shattering music industry records for over 50 years. Born to humble beginnings in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, Parton first got her start performing at her local church, surrounded by her 11 brothers and sisters.

After graduating from high school, the up-and-coming starlet headed for Nashville, making her on-camera debut in 1967 on Porter Wagoner’s weekly TV program. But it wasn’t until 1974 that Parton really made a splash on the country scene. “I Will Always Love You,” which she wrote about Wagoner, sky-rocketed to the top of the charts — and with it, Parton began to develop her signature over-the-top, covered-in-sequins style.

Over the years, Parton has written over 3,000 songs and released more than 140 singles. Inducted in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999, the now 78-year-old firecracker still holds her own on stage, having recently performed alongside the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. If she wasn’t busy enough, Parton is also working on a Broadway show documenting her life, entitled Hello, I’m Dolly. The show is set to hit the stage in 2026.

“I was not a raving natural beauty,” Dolly told ELLE of her penchant for heavy makeup, sky-high wigs and embellished costumes (having left many wondering what she looks like without a wig on). “I look totally artificial, but I am totally real, as a write, as a professional, as a human being. A rhinestone shines just as good as a real diamond.” And to that we say: Parton, never stop being (rhinestone-clad) you! Keep scrolling to revisit her best photos from her early years on the music scene.

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Porter Wagoner first introduced a then-unknown Dolly Parton to the world on his TV show in 1967 – little did we know how iconic her voice and standout style would become.
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The country star opted for a more pared-back look, with a wavy hairstyle and minimal makeup for a portrait session in 1972.
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Even back in 1978, the country superstar was a bonafide ray of sunshine!
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At the 9 to 5 film premiere in New York, Dolly was pretty in pink — a pink off-the-shoulder dress, pink eyeshadow, and a bright pink lip color.
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No one commands the stage like Dolly! Here, the blonde bombshell performs in an intricately beaded white gown alongside Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn in 1980.
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To present an Academy Award at the 52nd annual ceremony, Dolly opted for a baby blue dress with sequined black bow.
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All eyes were on Dolly in another beaded, tight-fitting dress — this time, with matching earrings — on stage at the Dominion Theatre in London in 1983.
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For her first Hollywood Walk of Fame induction — yes, Dolly is so fabulous that she’s actually received the honor twice — the then 38-year-old posed (next to Sylvester Stallone) in a relatively understated look, at least by her standards.
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On stage with Kenny Rogers in 1985, Dolly wore her take on a classic tuxedo style — with plenty of sequins.
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The superstar’s hair reached new volumes — not that we’re complaining — during her variety series, Dolly, which aired in the late ‘80s on ABC.
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For one of her many performances on the show, Dolly played the guitar in all-over denim while sporting long (and we do mean, long) red nails.
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Who wore their pile of blonde curls better? Dolly Parton or her TV show guest, Ms. Piggy.
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At the 14th Annual People’s Choice Awards in March 1988, Dolly wore an over-the-top off-the-shoulder gown to accept her win for Favorite All-Around Female Entertainer.
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At a charity dinner in New York in 1988, Dolly posed alongside friend Kenny Rogers in a sequined, velvet gown and plenty of purple eyeshadow. (It was popular at the time!)
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Dolly’s namesake theme park — Dollywood — opened in 1986. In 1988, the star posed for a photo in the park’s gardens wearing a dotted dress and hoop earrings.
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For the New York City premiere of Steel Magnolias, Dolly turned heads in an incredible beaded, sequin number.
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The country music superstar looked the part in a Western-inspired red and gold fringed dress and plenty of hairspray.
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Red, white and blue… for an appearance just after July 4th in 1991, Dolly was the picture of patriotism.
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In 1995, Dolly serenaded the Tonight Show audience in a semi-sheer gown and half-up, half-down hairstyle.

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