Dolly Parton’s career is nothing short of legendary. She’s been in the spotlight for over six decades, and her music is still a huge part of our lives. Two of her most iconic songs, “9 to 5” and “Jolene,” are not just beloved by fans—they also bring in serious cash. Every year, those two tracks alone earn Dolly between $6 million and $8 million in royalties. That’s pretty wild, especially when you think about how long ago those songs came out—”Jolene” in 1973 and “9 to 5” in 1980. Even decades later, they’re still raking in the money.
One big reason Dolly continues to make bank is that she was smart enough to hold onto the rights to her music. While a lot of artists from her time sold off their publishing rights, Dolly set up her own publishing company when she was just 20 years old. This means that every time one of her songs gets played on the radio, used in a movie, or streamed online, she gets a cut. Owning her music catalog has been a game-changer for her financially.
And let’s not forget about “I Will Always Love You,” which went to a whole new level when Whitney Houston covered it for The Bodyguard soundtrack in 1992. That version became a massive hit, and Dolly reportedly made around $20 million in royalties just from Whitney’s cover. That’s right—$20 million from one song! It just goes to show how powerful owning your own music can be, and how timeless Dolly’s work is.
At the end of the day, Dolly Parton isn’t just a music icon—she’s a business powerhouse. The fact that songs like “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” and “I Will Always Love You” continue to make her millions speaks to both her talent and her smart business sense. It’s a reminder that when you own your work, the rewards can keep coming in, long after the spotlight fades.
