Dolly Parton, who died on Aug. 25 at age 80, had a music catalog worth around $120 million, according to 2025 Forbes estimates.
Since the music trailblaizer and her husband Carl Dean, who died in March 2025, did not have any children together, it’s unclear who will inherit her estate and manage her massive discography.
It’s possible that Parton’s nieces and nephews will be named as beneficiaries in her estate, including her music catalog, according to Sean Weissbart, an estate attorney, partner at Blank Rome and New York University law professor.
Weissbart referenced a report by the U.S. Sun, which on Aug. 27 reported that Dean’s will and testament directed that all his belongings be distributed among his nieces and nephews in the event Parton died before him.
He said other likey benefeciaries include The Dollywood Foundation and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which he expects to live on for a long time like Parton intended.
What would Dolly Parton have looked for in a trustee?
While owning the underlying publishing rights, Parton also partnered with major companies to administer and represent her music catalog.
Weissbart explained that Parton did not necessarily have to assign someone with a proficient expertise in the music industry to oversee her catalog. He said it’s possible Parton sought someone with strong financial skills, honesty, integrity and who knows how to hire the right people.
In addition to managing the use of her iconic body of work, Weissbart said it’s possible the trustee of her estate could use Parton’s likeness, which is heavily protected under Tennessee’s ELVIS Act (Ensuring Likeness, Voice, and Image Security Act), to generate additional income.
Lisa Alter, a partner at Alter, Kendrick & Baron who represents clients in the acquisition, sale and securitization of music assets, said she believes Parton would’ve likely assigned someone who would maintain a continuity of control over her estate and who would preserve her wishes. She explained that a trustee would likely work to ensure the use of her music aligned with her political views or religious values.
For more information see Anthony Robledo “Dolly Parton leaves behind a legendary music catalog. Who will own it?” AOL, August 28, 2026.