Dolly Parton’s story has always been tied to the family she came from: a large, close-knit household in rural Tennessee where money was scarce, music was everywhere, and responsibility came early.
She was the fourth of 12 children born to Avie Lee Parton, who died in 2003, and Robert Lee Parton, who died in 2000. Over the years, some of Dolly’s brothers and sisters followed her into music, television, writing or public life. Others chose work far from entertainment and kept their lives mostly private.
The Parton family also knew heartbreak. One of the children, Larry, died just days after he was born, a loss that deeply affected Dolly when she was still a young girl.
The Parton Siblings Who Lived Mostly Outside Fame
Willadeene Parton, the oldest sibling, often had a caregiving role in the family. Although she was only about five and a half years older than Dolly, she has said she helped look after her younger sister in a motherly way. Willadeene later became a published author and had some early experience with music.