Dolly Parton makes Guinness World Records history
Dolly Parton has been honoured as a Guinness World Records Icon after notching up a total of 11 unique records.
Parton has been presented with the award at her studios in Nashville, Tennessee. The country star’s honours include the most consecutive decades with top ten album entries on the Billboard country chart, as well as the most Grammy nominations for a female country artist, and the most studio albums by a female country artist.
While she is not an EGOT winner, Parton is also the first country artist to have been nominated for an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and a Tony.
Parton said of the honour from Guinness World Records: “Well, to say I’m humbled by that would be an understatement. I take a lot of pride in it and I’m very humbled by it.”
Craig Glenday, editor in chief at Guinness World Records, said in a new statement: “Dolly is undoubtedly one of the most celebrated writers and performers in the history of country music, as reflected in her many Guinness World Records certificates, but her reach and influence extends far beyond the musical world.”
Glenday continued: “There are so many projects close to her heart – poverty relief, education, medical research and of course the Imagination Library free-books campaign – and it’s these important, life-changing initiatives that propels Dolly into a different league.”
The Guinness World Records chief then labelled Parton “a living legend” and proudly said “it’s an honour to bestow GWR Icon status upon her”.
While Parton is retired from touring, she is set to return to the stage later this year for a short residency in Las Vegas. It will mark her first visit to the Nevada city in more than three decades. She is set to perform at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace for six shows between December 4th and December 13th, 2025.
Her last album, Rockstar, arrived in 2023, and Parton recently revealed she has “stalled” plans to write more music following the death of her husband, Carl Dean, earlier this year.
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out Music Newsletter
All the latest music news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.