Music Icon Dolly Parton Reveals Why She Never Had Children

Dolly Parton has explained why she never had children, saying she believes her destiny was never meant to be that of a parent. Instead, she devoted her life to philanthropic efforts, including a program that provides free books to underprivileged children. According to the singer, if she had become a mother, she wouldn’t have been able to do all the things she is doing now.

“I’m Glad I Never Had Children”

In 1964, at a laundromat in Nashville, Dolly Parton met the love of her life, Carl Dean—a construction business owner in Tennessee. Two years later, they tied the knot. Now at 77, Dolly has opened up about why she never wished to have children.

In an interview with Saga Magazine, she shared:
“I didn’t miss out on the privilege of being a mother the way people might think. When we were young newlyweds, we thought we might have children. But it was never a burning desire for me. I had my career, my music, and I loved to travel. If I had kids, I’d have stayed home with them. I know I would’ve worried constantly about them.”

“With everything going on in the world today, I hate the idea of bringing a child into this kind of environment. I always say, God didn’t let me have children so that all the children in the world could be mine,” she revealed.

In another interview with Mojo Magazine, she said:
“Everything’s out there now. Kids see everything. They hear everything. We have to talk about so many things. I know this might sound selfish and awful, but I’m almost glad I never had children. I even worry about my nieces and nephews.”

The Secret Behind a Marriage That Has Lasted More Than 6 Decades

The music icon recently offered rare insights into the secrets behind her 59-year-long marriage. Speaking on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2, she emphasized honesty, humor, mutual respect, and love as the key pillars of their enduring relationship.

“My husband is crazy, funny, and smart. I’ve always had a great sense of humor from both sides of my family, so humor really helps,” Dolly said lightheartedly.

Speaking about the foundation of their marriage, she added:
“There’s a lot to say about it. We don’t always see each other. He’s in business, and we have different interests, but we also have things we enjoy doing together. I think it was destined—he’s the one I was meant to be with, and vice versa.”

Dolly also praised her husband’s honesty, saying he never hesitates to give his opinion, even when it’s blunt. When commenting on her work—like her latest album—his feedback means the world to her.
“When I finished the whole album, my husband said, ‘It’s actually really good.’ And for me, that means a lot. The fact that he just said it’s good, that it’s truly good, really matters to me.”

In 2021, Dolly famously wore a Playboy-inspired outfit for her husband’s birthday.

She also puts thought into her appearance:
“I like to dress up for my husband. I wear makeup and do my hair every day. I always dress nicely when I go out and I won’t look sloppy even at home. No one wants to cuddle up to someone who looks like a mess! I care about being the best version of myself in his eyes. That’s one of the secrets to keeping our marriage alive,” the country legend said.

Dolly’s candid take on marriage and personal choices continues to inspire fans around the world. Despite her age, Dolly’s timeless voice and appearance still leave admirers in awe.

Born in 1946, Dolly Parton is one of the most successful artists in American music history. She rose to fame through her country music career and has sold over 100 million records worldwide. Over the course of her career, she has written more than 3,000 songs and released numerous hits including I Will Always Love You, Jolene, and Coat of Many Colors. In addition, she has appeared in more than 50 film and theater projects and has received nominations for major acting awards such as the Oscars, Golden Globes, and Tony Awards.