Dolly Parton’s life and musical talent have been shaped by her upbringing in a large, loving family. She and her 11 siblings, Willadeene, David, Coy, Robert Jr., Stella, Cassie, Randy, Larry, Floyd, and twins Freida and Rachel, were raised in a humble cabin in Sevierville, Tennessee. Despite their financial struggles, the Parton household found joy in music, a tradition that most of them carried into adulthood.
The bond between the Parton siblings remains strong, with several of them pursuing entertainment careers like Dolly, and others writing, and ministry. While Dolly is the most famous, each of her siblings has their own unique story. Here’s a look at the lives of Dolly Parton’s siblings.
Willadeene Parton
Willadeene is the eldest of the Parton siblings, and was born in March 1940. Though she dabbled in music early on, she found her passion in storytelling. She wrote Smoky Mountain Memories: Stories from the Hearts of the Parton Family, which is a memoir about their upbringing. She also published a cookbook filled with family recipes, and has now retired to a quiet life away from the spotlight in Tennessee.
David Parton
David Wilburn Parton followed in 1942, and is one of the private members of the family. Unlike his siblings, he never pursued a career in music or entertainment. He simply built his life away from the public eye. While little is known about his personal and professional life, David has always remained close to his family and their Smoky Mountain roots.
Coy Parton
Like David, Coy Denver Parton also chose a life outside of the public eye and did not follow in his siblings’ footsteps. He preferred focusing on family and personal endeavors, but occasionally makes appearances at family gatherings.
Robert Lee Parton Jr.
Robert Jr., born, was named after their late father, Robert Lee Parton Sr. Unlike his sisters Dolly and Stella, not much information is available about Robert Jr., as he opted for a life behind the spotlight. He has always maintained a strong connection with his siblings, sharing in the values and traditions of their upbringing.
Stella Parton
Stella is one of the most famous Parton siblings. Following in Dolly’s footsteps, she became a successful country singer, and has over 30 albums, including her debut single, “I Want to Hold You in My Dreams Tonight,” which was a hit in 1975. Stella has also written memoirs and cookbooks and competed on Celebrity MasterChef.
Cassie Parton
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Cassie Nan Parton was also musically inclined and performed in a gospel group with her sisters for a while. Sadly, she did not pursue a long-term career in music. Cassie has mostly stayed out of the public eye, though she appeared in 2013 My People: Dolly’s Letter Home.
Randy Parton
Randy had a notable music career, releasing several country songs, including a duet with Dolly, “Old Flames Can’t Hold a Candle to You.” Sadly, he passed away in 2021 after battling cancer. Dolly described him as a talented musician and a beloved member of their big family.
Larry Parton
Larry Parton passed away just four days after his birth, but his short life had an impact on Dolly. She has spoken about the emotional connection she felt with him, and his passing was depicted in the TV movie Coat of Many Colors.
Floyd Parton
Floyd was a talented songwriter, having co-wrote “Rockin’ Years,” which became a No. 1 hit for Dolly and Ricky Van Shelton. He also penned “Nickels and Dimes” from Dolly’s Heartbreaker album. Floyd died at 61 in 2018, and his family honored him by singing “Rockin’ Years,” at his memorial service.
Floyd’s twin sister Freida initially performed in a punk rock band before returning to her gospel roots. She also did some backup vocals on Dolly’s albums. In 2014, she became an ordained minister and opened the Parton Family Wedding Chapel in Sevierville. Her daughter, Jada Star, has followed in the family’s musical footsteps and appeared on ABC’s Claim to Fame.
Rachel Parton
Rachel is the youngest Parton sibling, and she pursued both music and acting. She appeared in the 9 to 5 TV series based on Dolly’s hit movie after working as Dolly’s backup singer and makeup artist. Last year, she and Dolly released a cookbook, Good Lookin’ Cookin’, to celebrate their family’s cherished recipes.