08/25/2026
It was always more than rhinestones. Dolly Parton was born the fourth of twelve children in a one-room cabin in the Tennessee mountains. She spent the next eight decades proving that where you start is only the first line of the story. She wrote more than 3,000 songs. She built a theme park in her own backyard. She put more than 200 million books into children's hands. She collected a nation's highest honors and never once acted like she was above the crowd.
For over a century, Ripley's has gathered the world's most unbelievable true stories. Dolly Parton's was one of the most incredible — and every word of it was real.
The Ripley's Tennessee Attractions family joins our East Tennessee community in keeping Dolly's family, friends, and loved ones in our thoughts during this difficult time.
Rest easy, Dolly Parton. 1946–2026.
