A secret posthumous memoir by the late country music icon Dolly Parton has sold for $13 million, sources told Page Six.
Grand Central Publishing acquired the rights to the book after a vigorous bidding war, according to multiple sources familiar with the deal. The literary agency Folio, which previously represented Parton for her 2023 book "Songteller: My Life in Lyrics," brokered the sale. It remains unclear when the memoir was written or its specific content.
Publishers were initially presented with a $12 million offer, which reportedly caused some bidders to pause, believing the figure was too high. However, Grand Central Publishing ultimately increased its offer, securing the book for $13 million. Another source indicated that while the initial sum might have been lower, the final agreement included a more significant royalty split, favoring the publisher at 50/50.
This deal places Parton's posthumous work in the company of other high-value celebrity memoirs, such as Britney Spears' $15 million deal in 2022 and Bruce Springsteen's reported $10 million advance in 2016. Grand Central Publishing is home to a roster of notable authors including David Baldacci, Nicholas Sparks, and Harlan Coben.
Parton, who passed away at the age of 80 in August, had a prolific career that spanned music, acting, and philanthropy. She authored or co-authored numerous books throughout her life, including works on her style, live performances, children's books, a novel with James Patterson, a cookbook, and her 1994 autobiography, "Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business."
Questions surrounding the distribution of the memoir's proceeds have emerged amid reports of legal disputes within Parton's estate. Her longtime representative, Danny Nozell, reportedly filed a lawsuit against Parton's nephew, Bryan Seaver, who had announced the star's death. While two of Parton's sisters posted messages of family unity, her niece, Danielle Parton, was recently named brand ambassador for the estate.
Parton's manager stated that the icon worked on numerous projects until her death and had a long-term roadmap for future releases. He assured fans that any officially released posthumous work would have been personally approved by Parton.