A revered figure in the music industry, she has managed to amass millions of admirers with her sheer talent. Just like her followers, Dolly Parton’s siblings are numerous and can be quite challenging to recollect due to their large number.
Dolly Parton is hailed as a luminary who has garnered a massive following. Her distinguished career attests to her triumph, and her accomplishments serve as testimony to her expertise. However, even her most ardent fan may find it perplexing to remember the identities of Dolly Parton’s siblings.
The renowned singer was raised in a Southern family, residing in a small cabin near the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee with a dozen siblings. Remembering such a sizable family can prove to be quite a challenge, even for her most dedicated fans.
While Dolly Parton herself is adept at recalling the names and birth order of her siblings, we are here to outline the current endeavors of her siblings. Maintaining a strong recollection of such a extensive family necessitates frequent revisiting, and this article aims to fulfill that need.
Dolly Parton’s Siblings And Their Birth Order
Dolly Parton has listed her siblings on her official website. The roster, arranged from youngest to oldest, is as follows:
- Willadeene
- David Wilburn
- Coy Denver
- Dolly Rebecca
- Bobby Lee
- Stella Mae
- Cassie Nan
- Randel Huston “Randy”
- Larry Gerald
- Estel Floyd and Freida Estelle (twins)
- Rachel Ann
For those who are inclined to count, the list comprises six boys and six girls. Despite being an impressive number, all the siblings, along with their parents, lived in the small cabin mentioned earlier.
The younger brother Larry sadly passed away shortly after birth. His tragic demise was depicted in a film released in 2015.
Coat of Many Colors
The film “Coat of Many Colors,” released in 2015, was inspired by Dolly Parton and her childhood. The film depicts her siblings, family, and early life, as well as the tragic loss of her younger brother.
Larry shared a close bond with Dolly, as she recounted during the film’s release, “My mother, over the years, upon our birth, owing to the large number of us, would remark, ‘This one is going to be your baby,’
“This implied that you had to take extra care of it. You had to attend to it at night and cradle it. The baby depicted in the film who passed away was my responsibility.”
Dolly has since shared photographs of her family.
Prioritizing Family
In 1978, Dolly participated in an interview with Playboy magazine, which resurfaced at a later time. With her trademark chuckle, she elaborated, “The kids urinated on me every night. There were so many of us that when we slept, there were three or four in a bed. That was the only source of warmth we knew during the winter.
“I mean, it was almost comforting to be urinated on.”
It is evident that there was a great deal of affection among the siblings, as the superstar did not shy away from recounting her pre-stardom days. She remained humble enough to share details about her parents and siblings, demonstrating to the world her profound regard for her family.
Dolly Parton’s Siblings And Their Present Circumstances
There is limited information available about Dolly Parton’s siblings. Regrettably, three of her six brothers have passed away.
Passing of Three Brothers
Larry Parton passed away shortly after birth. In 1955, he tragically met his demise after only four days.
Floyd Parton, Dolly’s longtime songwriting partner and brother, passed away in 2018 at the age of 61. He was also the twin of Freida Parton, and he ventured into the music industry.
He penned the song “Rockin’ Years,” a duet with Ricky Van Shelton, which became a hit for Dolly.
Randy Parton, at the age of 67, passed away in January 2021.
Remaining Siblings
The following information is available regarding Dolly Parton’s siblings.
David Parton, Coy Parton and Robert Lee Parton
Robert, Coy, and David have not pursued a career in the music industry or in any form of entertainment. They have refrained from the public eye and have limited online information.
They are aged 72, 77, and 78, respectively.
Willadeene Parton
The eldest of the Parton siblings is Willadeene Parton, who is 80 years old. She contributed to a memoir titled “Smoky Mountain Memories: Stories from the Hearts of the Parton Family,” released in 1996.
Stella Parton
Stella Parton, Dolly’s sister and a singer, was born on May 4, 1949, making her 72 years old, approaching 73. Born in Tennessee, she is three years younger than Dolly.
Her song “I Want To Hold You In My Dreams,” released in 1975, garnered considerable acclaim.
Cassie Parton
Cassie Parton, a talented singer, is 69 years old. In 2013, she showcased her musical talent in the Dollywood show titled “My People,” performing alongside her brother, Randy Parton.
She also performed with her brother, Randy Parton.
Randy Parton
Randy Parton was in his late sixties when he passed away in January 2021.
He was also a musician and used to perform with his sister.
Freida Parton
Freida Parton, a singer, was part of a punk band in the 1980s. She provided backing vocals for some of Dolly’s albums as well.
She has since ceased singing and performing.
Rachel Parton
Rachel Parton, a prominent figure among Dolly’s siblings, is remembered by fans as Rachel Parton Dennison, aged 61. She starred in the popular ABC sitcom “9 to 5,” which aired from 1982 to 1988.
She also performed with Dolly and Stella, exhibiting her musical talent alongside her sisters at the Red Tent Women’s Conference in Tennessee.
