Dolly Parton not only penned and recorded the original version of “I Will Always Love You” but has also made her mark in film, authored books, and achieved success as a businesswoman and philanthropist.

Having grown up in poverty, Dolly Parton didn’t see a toilet until she was eight, but she now generously supports numerous charitable causes.

A Childhood Shaped by Poverty

Born on January 19, 1946, in Tennessee, Dolly Parton was the fourth of twelve children and faced the realities of financial hardship. Her father was an illiterate sharecropper, while her mother, of Welsh descent, entertained the family with stories and songs. Despite their struggles, Parton’s parents ensured their children had food, shelter, and clothing. Reflecting on her upbringing, Parton shared:

“We were poor, but I never felt poor. We always had enough to eat, a roof over our heads, and clothes on our backs. Mama and Daddy pointed out those who were worse off than us. Everything felt normal to me. It’s only when you look back on eating beans and cornbread, sharing beds, using newspaper for insulation, and having to go outside for the toilet that you realize, yes, we were poor.”

Learning Life’s Essentials

Living in a cramped one-room cabin near the Little Pigeon River, the Parton family spent most of their time outdoors due to space constraints. Parton revealed that she didn’t use an indoor toilet until visiting her aunt at eight, where she hesitated, fearing it would “suck them right down.” The family made their own soap and bathed weekly during winter, but during high school, she had to wash daily because of sleeping arrangements with her siblings.

Family Influence and Career Success

Despite the obstacles, Parton credits much of her success to her family, who have always been her greatest love and inspiration in her music. Her affection for them is evident in her lyrics and performances.

With a net worth of $375 million, Dolly Parton’s generosity matches her immense success. In 1988, she founded the Dollywood Foundation, initially offering scholarships to students from her high school. Over time, the foundation expanded to help students from various schools and teachers in need. One notable initiative is the Imagination Library, started in 1995 as a tribute to Parton’s father, which has since grown to deliver around 1.3 million books monthly to nearly two million children across all 50 states. When the initiative celebrated its 100 millionth book delivery in 2018, Parton admitted she never imagined it would achieve such success.

Acts of Kindness in Difficult Times

Dolly Parton has stepped up to help during crises, such as establishing the My People Fund after the devastating 2016 wildfires in the Great Smoky Mountains, which raised over $9 million to assist 900 families. She also contributed to Vanderbilt University Medical Center after her niece’s successful leukemia treatment.

Her charitable efforts extend to supporting organizations like the American Red Cross, charities combating HIV/AIDS, and animal rights groups. In 2020, she became a vocal advocate for Covid vaccines, contributing $1 million to aid in the development of the Moderna vaccine.

Giving with a Generous Heart

Dolly Parton’s generosity stems from her heart. She acknowledges her love for giving and the joy it brings her to make a difference in others’ lives. Her background certainly influences her commitment to philanthropy, as her remarkable journey from modest beginnings to success has shaped her into a compassionate individual.

What are your thoughts on Dolly Parton’s generosity? Do you believe her background impacts her philanthropic efforts? Share your views and help spread the word about this remarkable woman and her charitable contributions.