Country music legend Dolly Parton worked until her death at age 80 on Aug. 25 following a brief battle with cancer, leaving behind a handpicked team to execute a multi-year roadmap for her unreleased projects.
Her manager Danny Nozell announced in an Aug. 26 press release that Parton spent her final years establishing a comprehensive plan for her upcoming business and artistic ventures. Parton was an iconic American singer-songwriter, actress, and philanthropist best known for hit songs such as "Jolene" and "9 to 5."
"Dolly worked up until the day she died," Nozell said. "She loved seeing her dreams come to life, and loved knowing her work brought people joy."
Upcoming Projects and Hotel Launch
Parton spent the last two years developing multiple major ventures scheduled to debut in the coming months. Her SongTeller Hotel is set to open its doors on Sept. 14, followed by the opening of the Life of Many Colors Museum at the hotel on Sept. 29.
Her musical career will also expand to Broadway when previews begin on Dec. 7 for DOLLY: A True Original Musical. Broadway is New York City's renowned commercial theater district. Beyond stage and hospitality, Parton had several products scheduled for release, including dog treats, bedding, home decor, and a fashion collaboration with American jewelry designer Kendra Scott.
"Ever the planner, Dolly worked with the team that she handpicked, for the past several years to build a project roadmap that will guide us for decades to come," Nozell explained. "As the leader of the team responsible for overseeing her legacy, we will ensure the many dreams she had yet to fulfill are brought to life."
Transparency for Fans
Management confirmed that Parton's estate will remain transparent about works in development as unreleased material comes to market. The team confirmed that all items released through her official channels bear her direct approval.
"Many projects were in various stages of development, and we want to be transparent with her fans about this fact," the statement said. "If you see unreleased music, products, books, experiences, and campaigns launched through official Dolly Parton channels, you can have confidence in knowing that she placed her personal stamp on it."
The news follows the loss of Parton's husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, who died last March. Meanwhile, the president of Dollywood, Parton's famed theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, has also shared updates regarding the theme park's future after her passing.
The Imagination Library
Despite her global fame and multiple Grammy Awards, Parton consistently highlighted her literacy organization, the Imagination Library, as the most meaningful achievement of her career. Grammy Awards are presented annually by the Recording Academy to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry.
"I have loved doing this for the kids," Parton told Today in June 2019. "There's nothing more important than our little kids, to make an impression on them when they're young and to teach them the right things early on."
Parton founded the program in 1995 to provide free books to children from birth to age 5, earning her the nickname "The Book Lady." She was inspired by her father, Robert Lee Parton, who struggled with illiteracy.
"My dad couldn't read or write and that was kind of crippling to him," Parton shared in her 2020 documentary The Library That Dolly Built. "Of all the things I've done in my life, and it's been a lot because I've been around a long time, this is one of the most precious things and the proudest I've been of any program I've ever been involved in, working with these kids."
