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Did you know that Dolly Parton comes from a large family? She’s one of 12 children born to her parents, Avie Lee and Robert Lee Parton. Many of Dolly’s brothers and sisters pursued music careers, too! Learn more about all 11 of her siblings

Dolly Parton Has 11 Siblings: Learn About All Of Her Brothers & Sisters

Dolly Parton Has Lots Of Brothers & Sisters – Get To Know Her 11 Siblings

Country music superstar Dolly Parton is the fourth of twelve children born to Robert Lee and Avie Lee Parton. That’s right, she has 11 siblings!

Dolly herself was born on January 19, 1946 in a one-room cabin in Pittman Center, Tennessee, about 26 minutes from Pigeon Forge. Her father worked as a sharecropper, farmer, and construction worker, while her mother stayed home and cared for their children.

Dolly has described their family as being “dirt poor” during her childhood. She recalled how her father Robert paid the doctor who delivered her with a sack of cornmeal when she was born.

Like Dolly, many of her siblings ended up pursuing singing careers. Dolly says her mother’s side of the family fostered their love for music.

“I grew up in a very musical family, all my mother’s people were very musical, so I was always around people playing instruments and singing, and my mom singing the old songs,” she told PEOPLE in 2020.

In 2015, Dolly shared the story of her childhood in her TV movie Coat of Many Colors. She followed up with more heartwarming tales from her youth in the sequel Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love.

Dolly’s siblings had featured roles in both movies. Now, keep scrolling to learn more about her real-life siblings…all 11 of them!

Introducing Dolly Parton’s 11 Siblings

Willadeene Parton

Willadeene is the eldest of the 12 Parton siblings. She was born on March 24, 1940. Willadeene is nearly six years older than Dolly, and a full 19 years older than their youngest sibling, Rachel.

Because she was the oldest of the Parton kids, many of Willadeene’s brothers and sisters looked up to her as a second mother figure.

As she grew up, Willadeene made it clear she too, had a passion for music. She pursued a gospel career for several years before leaving the music industry.

Willadeene discovered a new passion, writing. She published a memoir, Smoky Mountain Memories: Stories from the Hearts of the Parton Family in 1996. She published her second book, a cookbook titled All-Day Singing & Dinner on the Ground in 1997.

Since then, Willadeene has lived a mostly private life out of the spotlight.

David Parton

David is the firstborn Parton son. He was born in 1942.

Unlike many of his other siblings, David did not pursue a music career. He worked as a bridge builder superintendent and lived a private life, though he was occasionally photographed with Dolly and their brothers and sisters.

David passed away on November 15, 2024, at the age of 82.

Coy Parton

The third Parton sibling, and second son, Coy, was born in 1943.

Like his older brother David, Coy chooses to live a private life.

Robert Lee Parton Jr.

Two years after Dolly was born, she got a little brother. Robert Lee Parton Jr. was born in 1948.

Because she was the oldest of the Parton kids, many of Willadeene’s brothers and sisters looked up to her as a second mother figure.

As she grew up, Willadeene made it clear she too, had a passion for music. She pursued a gospel career for several years before leaving the music industry.

Willadeene discovered a new passion, writing. She published a memoir, Smoky Mountain Memories: Stories from the Hearts of the Parton Family in 1996. She published her second book, a cookbook titled All-Day Singing & Dinner on the Ground in 1997.

Since then, Willadeene has lived a mostly private life out of the spotlight.

David Parton

David is the firstborn Parton son. He was born in 1942.

Unlike many of his other siblings, David did not pursue a music career. He worked as a bridge builder superintendent and lived a private life, though he was occasionally photographed with Dolly and their brothers and sisters.

David passed away on November 15, 2024, at the age of 82.

Coy Parton

The third Parton sibling, and second son, Coy, was born in 1943.

Like his older brother David, Coy chooses to live a private life.

Robert Lee Parton Jr.

Two years after Dolly was born, she got a little brother. Robert Lee Parton Jr. was born in 1948.

Robert Jr. is also the third Parton sibling who has always maintained a private life. Much like his older brothers Coy and David, Robert did not pursue a music career.

Stella Parton

Dolly Parton with her little sister, Stella Parton, in 2015. Stella is one of Dolly Parton's 11 siblings.

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