Dolly Parton is one of the most iconic figures in country music and pop culture. From her powerhouse voice to her unforgettable charisma, she has captivated the world for decades. But behind the fame lies a personal story rooted in family—specifically, a family that includes no fewer than eleven siblings. That’s right, Dolly Parton was the fourth of twelve children, born to Robert Lee and Avie Lee Parton.

Dolly’s upbringing in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee wasn’t glamorous by any means. In fact, she’s been very open about her humble beginnings, recalling how her family struggled financially. Dolly often describes herself as coming from a “dirt poor” background. Despite this, Dolly says that love, music, and faith were always present in the Parton household. Her mother’s side of the family, in particular, fostered a deep love for music, something that’s been passed down to many of her siblings.

Growing up in a house brimming with siblings meant a rich, and often challenging, experience. From playing instruments together to supporting one another through both triumphs and heartaches, the Parton children were bonded in a way that few could understand. But despite the large family, each sibling carved out their own path, with several finding success in their own right. Let’s meet Dolly Parton’s 11 brothers and sisters—each with a unique story that has contributed to the Parton family legacy.

1. Willadeene Parton

Willadeene is the oldest of the twelve Parton children, born on March 24, 1940. At nearly six years older than Dolly, Willadeene took on the role of a second mother to her younger siblings. She too pursued a career in music, specifically gospel, before leaving the industry and becoming a writer. Willadeene published a memoir, Smoky Mountain Memories: Stories from the Hearts of the Parton Family in 1996 and followed it with a cookbook, All-Day Singing & Dinner on the Ground in 1997. These days, Willadeene lives a private life, away from the spotlight.

2. David Parton

David was born in 1942 and is Dolly’s older brother. Unlike many of the other Partons, David chose not to pursue a career in music. Instead, he worked as a bridge builder superintendent. David lived a quiet life, though he occasionally appeared with his siblings at public events. David passed away on November 15, 2024, at the age of 82.

3. Coy Parton

Coy is Dolly’s second oldest brother, born in 1943. Like David, Coy lived a private life and did not pursue a music career. The details of his personal life remain mostly out of the public eye, and he largely stayed out of the entertainment industry.

4. Robert Lee Parton Jr.

Born in 1948, Robert Lee Parton Jr. is Dolly’s younger brother. Like his other brothers, Robert chose a quiet life, staying out of the limelight. He never followed in Dolly’s footsteps with a music career and has lived a private life.

5. Stella Parton

Stella, born May 4, 1949, is Dolly’s younger sister and one of her closest companions in the entertainment world. Stella pursued a successful country music career and released her debut album, I Want to Hold You in My Dreams Tonight, in 1975. Stella has had several other hits and continues to perform to this day. In addition to music, she is an author and actress, appearing in both of Dolly’s TV movies Coat of Many Colors and Christmas of Many Colors.

6. Cassie Parton

Cassie, born on February 12, 1951, is another of Dolly’s sisters who enjoyed a brief music career before stepping away from the spotlight. Cassie performed in a gospel group and later worked with Dolly at Dollywood, performing as a vocalist in Dolly’s My People show in 2013. Today, Cassie keeps a low profile and stays out of the public eye.

7. Randy Parton

Randy, born on December 15, 1953, was a talented musician in his own right. Randy released three albums during his career and had hits such as “Hold Me Like You Never Had Me.” He worked closely with Dolly throughout his career, recording songs with her and playing guitar for her. Randy passed away in January 2021 after a battle with cancer. His passing was deeply felt by Dolly and the rest of the Parton family.

8. Larry Parton

Larry, born in July 1955, tragically passed away just four days after his birth. His death, when Dolly was only nine years old, deeply affected the family. Dolly reflected on this loss in her movie Coat of Many Colors, sharing how it impacted her family’s strength.

9. Floyd Parton

Floyd, born on June 1, 1957, was another of Dolly’s siblings who pursued a career in music. Floyd was known for his songwriting talents, co-writing Dolly’s hit song “Nickels and Dimes.” He passed away in 2018 at the age of 61. Dolly and her family performed Floyd’s song “Rockin’ Years” at his memorial service, honoring his contributions to their music.

10. Freida Parton

Freida, also born on June 1, 1957, alongside Floyd, pursued a different path in music by joining a punk rock band. She later became an ordained minister and opened a wedding chapel and antique store in Sevierville, Tennessee. Freida still occasionally performs with the family but has focused more on her ministry.

11. Rachel Parton

The youngest of the Parton children, Rachel was born on August 31, 1959. Rachel initially pursued a music career before transitioning into acting. She had a notable role on the television series 9 to 5 (1982–1988), playing the character Doralee Rhodes, a role originally made famous by Dolly in the movie. Rachel also recently co-authored a cookbook with Dolly, titled Good Lookin’ Cookin’.

Together, the Parton siblings have shared countless memories, joys, and hardships, all of which have helped shape the incredible woman Dolly is today. The legacy of love, resilience, and music is something that binds the family, even in times of loss.