Dolly Parton Called Her Nashville Property "The House That Whitney Built" After Using Royalties from Houston's Iconic Cover

Whitney Houston's cover of "I Will Always Love You" had a very special place in Dolly Parton's heart. In a 2021 interview on Andy Cohen's Watch What Happens Live, Parton revealed that she invested in supporting the Black community using royalties from Houston's 1992 version of her classic hit, "I Will Always Love You."

"I bought my big office complex down in Nashville. So I thought, 'Well, this is a wonderful place to be,'" Parton said. "I bought a property down in what was the Black area of town, and it was mostly just Black families and people who lived around there. It was off the beaten path from 16th Avenue, and I thought, 'Well, I am gonna buy this place—the whole strip mall.' And I thought, 'This is the perfect place for me to be,' considering it was Whitney."

A Meaningful Investment

"I thought this was great. I'm just gonna be down here with her people, who are my people as well," she continued. "So I just love the fact that I spent that money on a complex, and I think, 'This is the house that Whitney built.'"

Parton died on Tuesday, August 25, at age 80 after being diagnosed with cancer. Her passing has prompted a wave of tributes and reflections on her remarkable life, including her philanthropy and the profound impact she had on music and culture.

The Song That Kept Giving

The singer-songwriter originally wrote and recorded "I Will Always Love You" in 1973 as a farewell to her former partner, Porter Wagoner. The song was a hit in its own right, but it was Houston's 1992 version for the soundtrack of The Bodyguard that catapulted it to global fame. Houston's rendition earned Parton around $10 million in royalties, per Forbes. In 2025, the track was certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Parton's decision to use that money to invest in a Black community reflects her deep sense of gratitude and her commitment to giving back. She saw the property not just as a business investment, but as a way to honor Houston's legacy and to support the people who had embraced her music.

A Bond Through Music

Following Houston's death in 2012, Parton opened up about her reaction to her version of the song to CBS Mornings. "Whitney, when she did it, she just took it worldwide and made it the most special song in the whole world," said Parton. The singer noted hearing the song following Houston's death, "It was very emotional to me … it was just so overwhelming [and] amazing… I think that song will be tagged to both of us forever."

Parton's words capture the deep connection she felt to Houston and the song that brought them together. Though they never met in person, their bond through music was powerful and enduring.

A Legacy of Philanthropy

Throughout her successful career, Parton continued her philanthropic efforts with the Dollywood Foundation, supporting children's education in her home of Sevier County, Tennessee, and the Buddy Program, supporting high school students, among some of her many charitable endeavors. In 2022, Parton was recognized with the prestigious Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy for her dedicated charitable work, including her foundation's Imagination Library, a monthly book gifting program for young children.

"I'm proud of the Imagination Library as much as anything I've ever done in my life," Parton told PEOPLE at the ceremony. "I always want to do things that I can be proud to talk about, things that I believe in. I cannot be a hypocrite and just say I'm going to donate this money for a tax write-off. I'd really like for it to mean something to me, something I can take pride in."

Parton's decision to invest in a property that supported a Black community is just one example of her generosity and her commitment to making a difference. Her legacy extends far beyond her music, encompassing her philanthropy, her advocacy, and her unwavering belief in the power of kindness.

As fans and friends continue to mourn her loss, they also celebrate the countless ways she made the world a better place. From her Imagination Library to her investment in Nashville's Black community, Parton's impact will be felt for generations to come.