Who owns Dollywood? Dolly Parton’s control and net worth explained

Dolly Parton is often known as the queen of country music, but she just might be the queen of amusement parks, too.

Dollywood is a favorite among guests and amusement park industry leaders. The theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee attracts around 3 million guests every year. In 2024, Dollywood was named the No. 1 theme in the country by the National Amusement Park Historical Association and Tripadvisor.

And it won the best park in the world award at the 2023 Golden Ticket Awards, which are known as the Oscars for theme parks.

Dollywood is more than just a theme park with fun rides and delicious cinnamon bread, though; its impact extends statewide. Dollywood’s direct annual economic impact to Tennessee is $1.8 billion, according to a 2021 Tennessee Department of Transportation study. It’s also Sevier County’s largest employer, creating more than 23,000 jobs in the region.

But just because Dollywood bears her name, does Parton really own the theme park that’s such a vital part of East Tennessee?

Dolly Parton was a bonafide superstar by the 1980s. She was a prolific singer-songwriter known for such hits as “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You,” and was a budding movie star. Wanting to honor and develop the place she grew up, in 1982, she first revealed her desire to build a theme park near the Great Smoky Mountains.

Jack and Pete Herschend, the brothers behind Silver Dollar City amusement park in Missouri, were already in the process of expanding their theme park in Pigeon Forge, and approached Parton to join the venture.

Dollywood opened in 1986, following a rebranding that embraced Parton’s popularity. Attendance more than doubled to 1.3 million in the park’s first year compared to its previous season as Silver Dollar City, Tennessee.

Parton and the Herschend brothers remain co-owners of Dollywood. Parton owns 50% and the Herschends own the other 50%.

Parton’s stake in Dollywood is worth about $165 million, Forbes estimated in 2021. Her overall net worth is $450 million, Forbes reported in 2024.