Dolly Parton's secret posthumous memoir 'sells for $13m' after rival publishers refuse to believe a $12m offer

Grand Central Publishing won the rights to Dolly Parton's secret memoir with a $13m bid — two months after the country legend died in August at the age of 80. Folio Literary Management, which represented the book, told rival publishers a $12m offer was already on the table, but they refused to believe it and stopped bidding, handing Grand Central the opening to improve its offer and take the deal.

A separate source claims the final figure was lower than $13m but included an unusually generous 50/50 royalty split for Parton's estate.

Parton's niece Danielle was named brand ambassador this week, vowing to 'care for' her aunt's legacy without trying to 'speak for Dolly.'