- Dolly Parton is a legendary country singer/songwriter who has 11 Grammys and a slew of successful films such as 9 to 5under her belt
- The “Jolene” hitmaker grew up in a one-bedroom cabin in East Tennessee with two parents and 11 siblings
- Dolly’s mother taught the 12 children to sing and play instruments, and many of Dolly’s sisters and brothers also became musicians
Dolly Parton get ready for the holiday season with a new network special Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmaswhich aired on December 1st ABC. The legendary Singer/songwriter shared the “frantic backstage story and delightful on-camera results of her desire to lift the spirits of a jaded world by sharing the unique ‘mountain magic’ she’s always found in and around Dollywood at Christmas.” The show included some of Dolly’s favorite songs as well as some Christmas classics.
Of course, the holidays are all about family, which the East Tennessee native no doubt knows, as she’s the fourth of 12 children! Dolly was raised by both of her parents, Avie Lee Caroline and Robert Lee Parton Sr., in a one room cabin with 11 siblings! “It was packed!” Dolly recounts The guard in 2016. “With so many brothers and sisters, there was a lot of teasing and fighting, but we were all in it together.”
Although the family struggled financially, Dolly said they always made the best of it. “We were poor, but I’ve never felt poor,” she told the outlet. “We always had food, a roof over our heads and clothes on our backs. It wasn’t exactly what we wanted, but Mom and Dad were always quick to point us out to the families who suffered a lot more than we did. It all seemed natural to me.”
Dolly launched a successful recording career and left the family home after high school to pursue her dreams. While her siblings may not have made a big name for herself as her sister, Dolly has said they were all very talented. “We are twelve children, six girls and six boys, and we all sing, write and play,” she said NPR in 2010. “It’s just that I think I’ve moved on. I don’t know if I’m anywhere near as good as some of the others, but I was more willing to make sacrifices and work a little harder than some of the others would have been willing, you know, just because she wanted to have a family and do other things. But there is a lot of talent in this family.”
Read on to learn more about Dolly’s talented siblings (in order of oldest to youngest) below.
Willadeene
Willadeene recorded a gospel album with her sisters Stella and Cassie before changing lanes and becoming an author. Her first book was Smoky Mountain Memories: Tales from the Heart of the Parton Family, tells the stories about the upbringing of the Parton family. Willadeene has also put together a cookbook entitled All day singing and dinner on the floor.
David, Coy and Bobby
Dolly’s brothers David, Shy and Bobby are close to her in age. The three have never ventured into the music arena and have kept relatively private as not much is known about them.
Stella
Stella Parton is no stranger to the country music scene. With her own 40 years of experience, she carved her own path as a country singer and even had a few hit songs in the 1970s.
Cassie
In 1967, Cassie’s mother took her and her sisters Stella and Willadeene to Nashville to record a gospel album entitled In the garden. Cassie also performed with her siblings at Dollywood, Dolly’s amusement park
cool
Randy Parton was a singer and appeared regularly in Dollywood. Randy died in 2021 at the age of 67.
larry
Unfortunately, larry died when he was only 4 years old. Dolly was just nine years old at the time of his death.
floyd
floyd wrote and performed songs with Dolly throughout his life, including songs like “Rockin’ Years,” which hit #1 on the country music chart in 1991, “Nickels and Dimes,” and “Waltz Me to Heaven.” Sadly, Floyd passed away in 2018.
Freida Estelle & Rachel Ann
Dolly’s mother gave birth to twins Frieda and Rachel to end their brood of a dozen. Freida began singing for Dolly again but eventually left the business to open a wedding chapel and is reportedly an ordained minister Wide open country. Rachel is a retired actress and singer best known for starring in the 1980s sitcom Nine to five.