Dolly Parton‘s unpublished memoir has reportedly sold for $13 million following a bidding war among publishers. Grand Central Publishing secured the rights to the posthumous book after increasing its offer. However, details about the memoir’s contents and expected release date remain unclear.
Dolly Parton’s posthumous memoir reportedly sells for $13 million
Multiple sources told Page Six that literary agency Folio handled the deal. The agency had previously handled Parton’s book “Songteller: My Life in Lyrics.” The memoir’s contents and when it was written remain unclear.
Reports say that publishers were initially presented with a $12 million offer. One publishing source recalled the reaction, saying, “They were all like, ‘WTF? You have $12 million, and we aren’t beating that.’” Grand Central subsequently increased its offer to $13 million and won the bid. Another source revealed that the deal was finalized with a lower upfront payment and a larger share of royalties. The split was reportedly 50:50.
It remains unknown whether the memoir will explore Parton’s private health struggles or other personal details. Throughout her career, she published numerous books, including her 1994 autobiography, “Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business,” as well as projects covering her music and life.
The reported deal comes amid several ongoing developments around Parton’s estate and legacy. Parton’s longtime manager, Danny Nozell, confirmed that she had spent years formalizing future projects. She also had plans for works intended for posthumous release.
This outlet previously reported on Parton’s first posthumous song. The report highlighted how interest in the country singer’s legacy has endured even after her death. The ongoing dispute involving Parton’s estate and her nephew was also covered.
Parton died at 80 on August 25, 2026. She was among the legends of country music, with major hits like “Jolene” and “9 to 5.” Parton also ventured into acting and authored several books. She was active in philanthropic pursuits, with the “Imagination Library” being one of her notable projects.
