Dolly Parton has been named the most popular public figure in the United States, according to a new academic survey, comfortably outperforming politicians, global leaders and fellow celebrities alike.
The poll, conducted by the University of Massachusetts Lowell’s Center for Public Opinion, found that the country music icon holds a striking +65 net favourability rating, placing her well ahead of every other figure included in the study.
That figure puts Parton far in front of her closest high-profile competitors. Taylor Swift registers a modest +3, while Barack Obama comes in at +14 and Volodymyr Zelenskyy at +13. Meanwhile, several major political figures fall into negative territory, including Donald Trump at –18, Joe Biden at –19, and Benjamin Netanyahu also at –19.
At the lower end of the scale, Vladimir Putin records the weakest rating of all at –65, effectively mirroring Parton’s overwhelmingly positive score at the opposite extreme.
The survey, which polled more than 1,000 American adults, highlights just how rare it is for a public figure to achieve such broad approval across an increasingly divided political and cultural landscape. Around 70 per cent of respondents expressed a favourable view of Parton, with relatively low unfavourable ratings across all demographic groups.
Notably, her popularity appears to transcend political affiliation, age and education level — a feat few public figures in the US currently manage. Even among groups where her favourability dips slightly, a large portion of respondents fall into the “no opinion” category rather than expressing any negative sentiment.
The findings reinforce Parton’s long-standing reputation as a unifying figure in American culture — someone whose appeal stretches far beyond music. Over a career spanning more than five decades, she has built a legacy not only as a performer, but also as a philanthropist, businesswoman and cultural icon.
One of the most widely recognised examples of her charitable work is her Imagination Library initiative, which has provided millions of free books to children around the world in an effort to promote literacy. The programme has been credited with helping to foster a love of reading among young people, particularly in underserved communities.
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Her ongoing philanthropic efforts continue to shape her public image. Most recently, she made a significant donation to a children’s hospital in Tennessee, described by the institution as “beyond our wildest expectations”, further cementing her reputation for generosity.
The poll also arrives during a reflective period in Parton’s personal life. Earlier this year, she made her first public appearance of 2026, offering fans a health update after previously cancelling her Las Vegas residency.
@todayshowDolly Parton made her first major public appearance in months since a health scare last year for the music legend. At Dollywood’s season opening on Friday, she said, “I’ve had a few little health issues, and we’re taking good care of them.”♬ original sound - TODAY Show
“I just kind of got worn down and worn out, grieving over Carl and a lot of other little things going on,” she said, referring to the death of her husband Carl Dean, whom she was married to for 58 years before his passing last year.
“I just got myself kind of where I needed to build myself back up spiritually, emotionally, and physically. But, all is good. It didn’t slow me down.”
Despite taking time to grieve, Parton made clear she has no intention of stepping back from her career.
“I’ve just been doing a lot of writing, a lot of thinking, a lot of praying and a lot of getting ready for a lot of new stuff coming up for the rest of this whole year. So, be ready for me. I ain’t done, I ain’t nebookar done.”
UMass Lowell: Favorability of Public Figures
🟢 Dolly Parton: (+65)
🟢 Barack Obama: (+14)
🟢 Volodymyr Zelenskyy: (+13)
🟢 Bernie Sanders: (+6)
🟢 George W. Bush: (+5)
🟢 Taylor Swift: (+3)
——
🟤 Marco Rubio: (-3)
🟤 AOC: (-6)
🟤 John Thune: (-8)
🟤 Kamala Harris: (-11)
🟤 JD… pic.twitter.com/l5IxQdyW8W— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) April 9, 2026
The contrast between Parton’s overwhelmingly positive rating and the deeply polarised figures elsewhere in the poll has also drawn attention. Many of the potential contenders for future US elections — including Gavin Newsom (–14), JD Vance (–10), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (–6) and Marco Rubio (–3) — remain in negative territory, underlining the difficulty political figures face in achieving broad public approval.
Even high-profile figures outside of politics struggle to match Parton’s standing. While Taylor Swift remains one of the most commercially successful artists in the world, the poll suggests her public perception is far more divided.
Ultimately, the results point to something increasingly rare: a figure who commands widespread admiration without significant backlash.
While it is only one survey, researchers note that Parton was included precisely because she represents a benchmark of broad public goodwill — a standard that few others currently meet.
In a cultural landscape often defined by division, Dolly Parton’s enduring popularity stands out as a reminder of the power of authenticity, consistency and — perhaps most importantly — kindness.
