Does Dolly Parton Have Kids? The Country Legend Opens Up About Her Decision: ‘I Wouldn’t Have Done All the Things I’ve Done”
Learn more about Dolly Parton’s decision not to have children and why she feels like a mother to every child
Key Takeaways
- Dolly Parton decided not to have children and says the freedom fueled her career.
- Dolly Parton has done lots of work with children, including the Imagination Library.
- Dolly says she has no regrets about not becoming a mother and has continued with her work.
Dolly Parton has spent the past six decades earning her title as a Country superstar, with hit songs like “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You,” as well as acting credits in 9 to 5 (1980) and Steel Magnolias (1989). But while she was creating a path towards superstardom alongside longtime husband, Carl Dean (who she married at age 20 in 1966), there’s one thing the singer never found herself drawn to: motherhood.
Despite coming from a family of 12 children, Dolly Parton decided not to have children and it’s a decision she doesn’t regret. In fact, she looks back on it, knowing now that it has allowed her to pursue the life she wanted.
“Since I had no kids, and my husband was pretty independent, I had freedom,” Parton shared in an interview. “So I think a big part of my whole success is the fact that I was free to work.”
Over the years, Parton has done a lot of work with and for children, including her Imagination Library, The Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital and The Dollywood Foundation. Learn more about Parton’s decision not to have children, what she’s said about it and why she’s okay with her decision.
Why didn’t Dolly Parton have children?
After her career blew up at age 21, her life changed drastically. Not only did she become famous worldwide, but she earned 11 Grammys, two spots in the Grammy Hall of Fame and the title of Billboard’s Greatest Country Singer of All Time. But while all of this was happening, Dolly never felt the passion to become a mother and never wavered throughout her nearly 60-year marraige.
“I didn’t have children because I believed that God didn’t mean for me to have kids so everybody’s kids could be mine. I could do things like Imagination Library because if I hadn’t had the freedom to work, I wouldn’t have done all the things I’ve done,” she explained. “I wouldn’t be in a position to do all of the things I’m doing now.”
Dolly’s work with children
Over the years, Dolly has worked with children in several different capacities, including her efforts with Imagination Library, a program that mails free books to children from birth until they begin school. She also made a transformational donation to the Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital—named after the singer earlier this year—which allowed for new growth in medical specialties, a pediatric residency program and an investment in advanced medical technology and telehealth services.
The singer also began The Dollywood Foundation in 1988, which was created to inspire children in her hometown to continue with their education and to decrease the county’s drop-out rate, which in fact reduced for two classes from 35% to 6%.
But these are just a few of the ways Dolly has helped children everywhere, so even though she didn’t have children of her own, the singer has been a motherly figure to many around the world. She’s also godmother to famed singer and actress, Miley Cyrus, who has been like a daughter to the country star.
How Dolly feels about her decision now
Although some might assume that Dolly has had regrets about her decision, the singer is sure she made the right one. “I haven’t missed it like I thought I might,” Parton confirmed in 2023. “When you’re a young couple, you think you’re going to have kids, but it just wasn’t one of those burning things for me. I had my career and my music and I was travelling. If I’d had kids, I’d have stayed at home with them and worried myself to death about them.”
Nowadays, Dolly is still working on her music while also expanding her business empire. The singer recently revealed a new coffee line called Cup of Ambition, as well as working on music for a Broadway musical.
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