Dolly Parton named Guinness World Records ICON on ‘Dolly Parton Day’

On what has officially become known as Dolly Parton Day (5 August), legendary singer, songwriter, and philanthropist Dolly Parton has been crowned a Guinness World Records ICON — an honour reserved for individuals whose record-breaking careers have had a profound global impact.

The announcement coincides with the 70th anniversary of Guinness World Records (GWR), to be marked later this month on 27 August as part of the GWR70: Be Part of It campaign.

Dolly becomes one of only a few selected ICONs whose record-breaking feats have transcended their field and inspired millions around the world.

“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,” said Craig Glenday, Editor in Chief at GWR.

“She truly is a living legend, and it’s an honour to bestow GWR ICON status upon her.”

Record-breaking legacy

Dolly Parton has amassed 11 official Guinness World Records titles, with several new accolades confirmed following her 2023 album Rockstar and her 2025 remix of Please Please Please with Sabrina Carpenter.

Her newly verified records include:

• Most consecutive decades with Top 10 album entries on the Billboard country chart (female) – 7

• Longest span of No.1 hits on the US Top Country Albums chart (female) – 46 years, 197 days

• Most decades with a Top 20 hit on the US Hot Country Songs chart – 7

• Most Top 10 entries on the US Top Country Albums chart (female) – 49

These achievements further cement Dolly’s place in music history, joining a list that already includes:

• Most studio albums released by a female country singer – 66

• Most Grammy nominations for a female country artist – 51

• First country singer to be nominated for an EGOT

• Most No.1 hits on the US Hot Country Songs chart by a female artist – 25

• Most hits on the US Hot Country Songs chart by a female artist – 113

More than music

But Dolly’s ICON status is not limited to music. Her work spans industries and generations — from her Dollywood theme park and award-winning musicals to her Imagination Library, which has donated over 200 million free books to children worldwide.

“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 propel Dolly into a different league,” Glenday added.

Dolly was presented with her official ICON certificate by GWR spokeswoman Amanda Marcus at her studios in Nashville, Tennessee.

What is a Guinness World Records ICON?

Guinness World Records ICONs are individuals whose impact through record-breaking feats has extended far beyond numbers — shaping culture, pushing boundaries, and leaving legacies. Past recipients include Taylor Swift, polar explorer Preet Chandi, and double amputee triathlete Billy Monger.

Full list of Dolly Parton’s record titles:

• Most consecutive decades with Top 10 album entries on the Billboard country chart (female) - 7

  
  

  • The most consecutive decades with Top 10 album entries on the Billboard country chart (female) is 7 and was achieved by Dolly Parton (USA) between 1968 (Just Between You and Me) and 2023 (Rockstar), as verified on 27 November 2023.

• Longest span of No.1 hits on the US Top Country Albums chart (female)  - 46 years 197 days

  
  

  • The longest span of No.1 hits on the US Top Country Albums chart (female) is 46 years 197 days and was achieved by Dolly Parton (USA) with her album Rockstar, which hit #1 spot on 27 November 2023.

• Most decades with a Top 20 hit on the US Hot Country Songs chart  - 7

  
  

  • The most decades with a Top 20 hit on the US Hot Country Songs chart is 7 and was achieved by Dolly Parton (USA; 1960s–2020s) when her and Sabrina Carpenter's ‘Please Please Please’ Remix debuted #17 Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart, as verified on 10 March 2025.

  
  

•  Most Top 10 entries on the US Top Country Albums chart (female) - 49

  
  

  • The most Top 10 entries on the US Top Country Albums chart (female) is 49 and was achieved by Dolly Parton (USA) with her album Rockstar, which hit #1 spot on 27 November 2023.

  
  

• Most studio albums released by a female country singer  - 66

  
  

  • The most studio albums released by a female country singer is 66 and was achieved by Dolly Parton (USA) between 1967 (Hello, I’m Dolly) and 2023 (Rockstar) as verified on 27 November 2023.

• First country singer to be nominated for the EGOT

  
  

  • Dolly Parton (USA) is the first country artist to be nominated for an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony, aka the “Grand Slam of show business” – the “EGOT”. Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square (Netflix, 2020) won Outstanding Television Movie at the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards in 2021. It was her fourth Emmy nomination – the first dating back to 1978. Parton is a 51-time nominee and an 11-time winner at the Grammys, including the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011. At the Oscars, Dolly picked up two Best Original Song nominations, for “9 to 5” (from the film of the same name; 1981) and “Travelin’ Thru” (from Transamerica; 2006). And at the 63rd Tony Awards (2009), Parton completed the set by landing a Best Original Score nomination for 9 to 5: The Musical, which wrapped up a UK tour in 2022 and is scheduled to visit the US.

  
  

• Longest span of No.1 hits on the US Hot Country Songs chart - 35 years 26 days

  
  

  • Thirty-five years 26 days elapsed between Dolly Parton’s (USA) first (“Joshua”, on 6 February 1971) and 25th (“When I Get Where I’m Going”, feat. Brad Paisley, on 4 March 2006) chart-toppers on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs.

• Most Grammy nominations for a female country artist - 51

  
  

  • Dolly Parton (USA) is a 55-time Grammy Awards nominee and has received 11 statuettes, including the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011. The legendary entertainer secured her first nomination at the 12th Grammy Awards in 1970 (Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group for “Just Someone I Used to Know”, with Porter Wagoner), and her most recent at the 67th Grammy Awards in 2025 (Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording for Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones). Parton has been nominated for at least one Grammy in 37 different years – more than any other vocalist, any other woman and any other country artist. Dolly has picked up eight nominations (and two wins) from the six most recent editions of the Grammys (62nd to 67th) combined.

• Most hits on the US Hot Country Songs chart by a female artist - 113

  
  

  • Dolly Parton (USA) had amassed 113 entries on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart as of 22 March 2025. Her seven decades of hit-making have included a female record 25 No.1s (from “Joshua” in 1971 to “When I Get Where I’m Going” in 2006) and 55 Top 10s. In 2024, Dolly peaked at No.12 with “Tyrant” and No.22 with “Have the Heart”, duets with Beyoncé and Post Malone respectively, and her 113th entry found her teaming up with the chart-topping pop star Sabrina Carpenter on a version of Carpenter’s “Please Please Please”. It debuted (and peaked) at No.17 on 1 March 2025.

• Most decades on the US Hot Country Songs chart (female) - 7

  
  

  • Dolly Parton (USA) has scored hits on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart for seven consecutive decades (1960s–2020s). Her run of country entries began with “Dumb Blonde”, which made No.24 on 18 March 1967; her most recent hit – her female record-extending 109th entry – was “Does He Love You” (with Reba McEntire), which debuted at No.47 on 23 October 2021. Previously, “Cuddle Up, Cozy Down Christmas” (with Michael Bublé), her 108th appearance on Hot Country Songs, entered at No.48 on 2 January 2021 to herald a seventh decade of hit-making.

• Most No.1 hits on the US Hot Country Songs chart by a female artist - 25

  
  

  • Dolly Parton (USA) has achieved 25 No.1 hits on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart – from “Joshua” on 6 February 1971 to “When I Get Where I’m Going” (feat. Brad Paisley) on 4 March 2006.

A year of celebrations: GWR70

The ICON announcement is part of GWR70: Be Part of It, a global campaign encouraging people of all ages to attempt record-breaking feats and embrace the spirit of achievement.

Guinness World Records first published its record book in London on 27 August 1955, and 70 years later, continues to inspire generations to push their limits.

More on GWR70 and how to get involved: www.guinnessworldrecords.com/gwr70