Dolly Parton has been called a lot of things over her career, but now, she can officially add Guinness World Records ICON to the list.
The country music queen, philanthropist, and national treasure was recently honored by Guinness on August 5 (which just so happens to be “Dolly Parton Day”). Fans have always known her as an icon, but now with the official new title, she has 11 Guinness World Records and counting!
The team over at Guinness shared the news on Instagram, calling Dolly a “larger-than-life living legend” whose “timeless tunes have captivated generations for decades.”
After sharing the special news, to no one’s surprise, the comment section was bombarded by Dolly’s fans who wrote messages like, “this is well deserved !!” and “Good to see you achieve this great milestone. Proud of you Dolly.” Another person went on to write, “I have grown listening to her ‘Jolene’ and ‘We’ll Always Love You’. Thank you so much. Congratulations on the records.”
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Dolly’s legacy has certainly earned her this iconic certification, yet she still managed to be modest about about the honor. “Well, to say I’m humbled by that would be an understatement,” Dolly said after receiving her ICON certificate. “I take a lot of pride in it and I’m very humbled by it.”
Even with her humility, the numbers just don’t lie. With 11 record titles and counting, so far Dolly has achieved the most studio albums released by a female country singer, the most Grammy nominations for a female country singer, the most number one hits on the US Hot Country Songs chart for a female, and more.
She’s also officially had Top 20 country songs in seven different decades, which might make her the most timeless artist country music has ever seen. From “Just Between You and Me” in 1968 to her 2024 collab with Sabrina Carpenter, Dolly’s still topping charts with ease.
But, let’s be honest—Dolly’s legacy was iconic long before the gold-framed certificate said so.
The 79-year-old has inspired generations not only through her music, but also through her philanthropic efforts for education, healthcare, and literacy.
So, what’s next for the country queen? According to her, “When you’ve lived as long as [she has], you ought to be doing something. You ought to set some kind of a record just for living that long. That’ll be [her] next one.”
If there was a record for capturing hearts, well, we’d say Dolly’s already got that one in the bag as well.
Dolly’s Guinness World Records:
- Most Top 10 entries on the US Top Country Albums chart (female) (49)
- Most studio albums released by a female country singer (66)
- First country singer to be nominated for the EGOT
- Longest span of No.1 hits on the US Hot Country Songs chart (35 years, 26 days)
- Most Grammy nominations for a female country artist (51)
- Most hits on the US Hot Country Songs chart by a female artist (113)
- Most decades on the US Hot Country Songs chart (female) (7)
- Most No.1 hits on the US Hot Country Songs chart by a female artist (25)
- Most decades with a Top 20 hit on the US Hot Country Songs chart (7)
- Longest span of No.1 hits on the US Top Country Albums chart by a female artist (46 years, 197 days)
- Most consecutive decades with Top 10 album entries on the Billboard country chart by a female artist (7)
