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
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.
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.
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’s little sister, Stella, was born on May 4, 1949.
Stella followed in her big sister Dolly’s country-singing footsteps. She released her debut album, I Want to Hold You in My Dreams Tonight, in 1975. The album’s title track reached the ninth spot on the Hot Country Songs chart, and kickstarted her career.
Stella has earned several other country hits over the years, including “The Danger of a Stranger,” “Standard Lie Number One,” and “Four Little Letters.”
On top of being a singer, Stella is also an author and actress. Like Willadeene, Stella released her own memoir in 2011, titled Tell It Sister, Tell It: Memories, Music and Miracles. She’s also authored three cookbooks.
Stella appeared in Dolly’s TV movie Coat of Many Colors and Christmas of Many Colors. She played town gossip Corla Bass. Stella also served as the official Parton family representative on set.
Stella remains active as a country music performer to this day.
Cassie Parton
After Stella, the Partons welcomed another baby girl. Cassie was born on February 12, 1951.
Like many of her siblings, Cassie loves singing. She performed in a gospel group with some of her sisters for awhile before ending her professional music career.
Cassie later joined the cast of her big sister’s My People show at Dollywood during the 2013 season. She performed as a vocalist in the program alongside their brother, Randy.
Other than that, Cassie lives a mostly private life these days.
Randy Parton
Dolly’s younger brother Randy was born on December 15, 1953. He followed her and many of their other siblings by pursuing a music career of his own.
Randy released his debut album, There Was a Dream, in 1978. He released two more albums during his career. Those albums produced hit singles such as “Hold Me Like You Never Had Me,” “Shot Full of Love,” and “Oh, No.”
In 1982, Randy became the first artist to record the song “Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler).” Alabama recorded the track two years later.
He went on to headline his own show at Dollywood starting in 1986.
On top of recording his own material, Randy worked closely with Dolly on her music. He recorded several songs with her, including “Holdin’ on to You,” “Old Flames Can’t Hold a Candle to You,” “Tennessee Homesick Blues,” “What a Heartache,” and “You Are My Christmas.”
Also, when Dolly starred in the movie Rhinestone, he recorded a song for the soundtrack. To top it off, Randy played guitar and bass for Dolly.
Larry Parton
The Partons welcomed their ninth child and fifth son, Larry, in July 1955. Sadly, Larry passed away just four days after his birth. Dolly was only nine years old at the time of her brother’s death.
Floyd Parton
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’s little sister, Stella, was born on May 4, 1949.
Stella followed in her big sister Dolly’s country-singing footsteps. She released her debut album, I Want to Hold You in My Dreams Tonight, in 1975. The album’s title track reached the ninth spot on the Hot Country Songs chart, and kickstarted her career.
Stella has earned several other country hits over the years, including “The Danger of a Stranger,” “Standard Lie Number One,” and “Four Little Letters.”
On top of being a singer, Stella is also an author and actress. Like Willadeene, Stella released her own memoir in 2011, titled Tell It Sister, Tell It: Memories, Music and Miracles. She’s also authored three cookbooks.
Stella appeared in Dolly’s TV movie Coat of Many Colors and Christmas of Many Colors. She played town gossip Corla Bass. Stella also served as the official Parton family representative on set.
“It was very, very important to me that everyone see the film and the honest, sincere form of worship that I grew up with,” Stella shared in a statement posted on Dolly’s website about the movie.
Stella remains active as a country music performer to this day.
Cassie Parton
After Stella, the Partons welcomed another baby girl. Cassie was born on February 12, 1951.
Like many of her siblings, Cassie loves singing. She performed in a gospel group with some of her sisters for awhile before ending her professional music career.
Cassie later joined the cast of her big sister’s My People show at Dollywood during the 2013 season. She performed as a vocalist in the program alongside their brother, Randy.
Other than that, Cassie lives a mostly private life these days.
Randy Parton
Dolly’s younger brother Randy was born on December 15, 1953. He followed her and many of their other siblings by pursuing a music career of his own.
Randy released his debut album, There Was a Dream, in 1978. He released two more albums during his career. Those albums produced hit singles such as “Hold Me Like You Never Had Me,” “Shot Full of Love,” and “Oh, No.”
In 1982, Randy became the first artist to record the song “Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler).” Alabama recorded the track two years later.
He went on to headline his own show at Dollywood starting in 1986.
On top of recording his own material, Randy worked closely with Dolly on her music. He recorded several songs with her, including “Holdin’ on to You,” “Old Flames Can’t Hold a Candle to You,” “Tennessee Homesick Blues,” “What a Heartache,” and “You Are My Christmas.”
Also, when Dolly starred in the movie Rhinestone, he recorded a song for the soundtrack. To top it off, Randy played guitar and bass for Dolly.
Sadly, Randy passed away in January 2021 following a battle with cancer. He was 67 years old.