The 12 Children Of The Parton Family: Dolly's Siblings, Oldest To Youngest (Updated 2025)

The Parton family is a true American dynasty, but the story is much bigger than just the Queen of Country, Dolly Parton. Dolly grew up as the fourth of twelve children to parents Robert Lee Parton Sr. and Avie Lee Owens in a one-room cabin in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. This large, impoverished, and music-filled family unit is the bedrock of Dolly’s entire career and philanthropic mission, including the Imagination Library and Dollywood. As of December 2025, the family has experienced both triumphs and recent heartbreak, with the passing of the second-oldest sibling, David Wilburn Parton, in late 2024.

The twelve children—six boys and six girls—are a complex tapestry of singers, songwriters, authors, actors, and private citizens. While some, like Stella and Randy, followed Dolly into the spotlight, others chose a quiet life away from the fame. This is the complete, updated list of Dolly Parton's siblings, from the oldest to the youngest, detailing their lives, careers, and current status.

The Complete Parton Family Tree: 12 Siblings in Order

Dolly Parton is the fourth child born to Robert Lee Parton Sr. (1921–2000), a farmer and construction worker, and Avie Lee Owens (1923–2003), a homemaker and talented musician. Their strong family bonds, faith, and Appalachian roots shaped the lives of all twelve children. Here is the full list of the Parton siblings, oldest to youngest, with their birth years and current status as of December 2025:

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• 1. Willadeene Parton (Born 1940): Age 85.
• 2. David Wilburn Parton (c. 1942–2024): Deceased.
• 3. Coy Denver Parton (Born 1943): Age 82.
• 4. Dolly Rebecca Parton (Born 1946): Age 79.
• 5. Robert "Bobby" Lee Parton Jr. (Born 1948): Age 77.
• 6. Stella Mae Parton (Born 1949): Age 76.
• 7. Cassie Nan Parton (Born 1951): Age 74.
• 8. Randy Parton (c. 1953–2021): Deceased.
• 9. Larry Parton (1955): Deceased (Died as an infant).
• 10. Floyd Estel Parton (1957–2018): Deceased.
• 11. Freida Estelle Parton (Born 1957): Age 68 (Twin).
• 12. Rachel Ann Parton Dennison (Born 1957): Age 68 (Twin).

The Trailblazers and Private Lives: The Oldest Parton Siblings

The eldest children of the Parton family helped lay the foundation for the family's migration out of poverty and often served as the first to explore the music and entertainment industry, though many chose to remain behind the scenes.

Willadeene Parton: The Family Historian and Author (Age 85)

Willadeene Parton is the eldest of the twelve children, born in 1940. She is known as the family's historian and storyteller. Unlike her younger sisters, Willadeene did not pursue a major music career, but she was part of a gospel trio with her sisters and has appeared on Dolly's television specials. Her most notable contribution is her book, Smoky Mountain Memories: Stories from the Mountain Side of Dolly Parton, which offers a poignant, first-hand account of their childhood in the Smoky Mountains and provides deep insight into the family's Appalachian roots.

David Wilburn Parton: The Most Recent Loss (c. 1942–2024)

David Wilburn Parton was the second-oldest sibling and one of the most private members of the family. He lived a life largely out of the public eye, unlike many of his entertainer sisters. His death in November 2024 at the age of 82 was confirmed by his sister Stella, who shared a heartfelt message on social media. David's passing marks a significant, recent loss for the close-knit Parton family, coming just a few years after the death of their brother Randy.

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Coy Denver Parton and Robert "Bobby" Lee Parton Jr.: The Quiet Brothers

Coy Denver Parton (Age 82) and Robert "Bobby" Lee Parton Jr. (Age 77) are two of Dolly's brothers who have maintained a fiercely private existence. They have consistently chosen to stay out of the entertainment industry's spotlight, preferring to lead normal, quiet lives in Tennessee. Coy, the third child, is reported to have worked in the quality assurance field. Their choice for privacy is a testament to the diverse paths taken by the Parton siblings, some embracing fame and others rejecting it entirely.

The Entertainers and Songwriters: Siblings Who Followed the Spotlight

Dolly Parton may be the global superstar, but the musical talent is clearly genetic. Several of her siblings have enjoyed successful careers as singers, actors, and prolific songwriters, often collaborating with Dolly herself.

Stella Mae Parton: The Country Music Maverick (Age 76)

Stella Mae Parton is perhaps the most famous of Dolly's sisters. Born in 1949, she launched her own successful country music career in the 1970s, scoring a major hit with "I Want to Hold You in My Dreams (Just One More Time)." Stella is a true maverick, known for her outspoken nature and her multi-faceted career as a singer, songwriter, actress, author, and motivational speaker. She continues to tour and release new music, maintaining a strong, independent presence in the industry.

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Cassie Nan Parton: Dollywood's Stage Star (Age 74)

Cassie Nan Parton, born in 1951, also possesses a powerful singing voice. She performed in a gospel trio with her sisters Willadeene and Stella when she was younger. Her most notable public role was as a performer in the Dollywood show "My People," which celebrated the Parton family's life story. Cassie also had a brief acting career, appearing on "The Porter Wagoner Show" in the 1970s.

Randy Parton: The Dollywood Performer and Songwriter (c. 1953–2021)

Randy Parton was a talented singer, songwriter, and musician who was deeply involved with his sister's empire. He was a long-time performer at Dollywood, where he had his own theater show, and he also contributed songs to Dolly’s albums. Randy tragically passed away in January 2021 at the age of 67 after a battle with cancer. Dolly referred to him as a "great singer and musician" and a beloved member of the family.

Larry Parton: The Inspiration for a Classic (1955)

Larry Parton, the ninth child, is a deeply emotional part of the Parton family's history. He was born in July 1955 but tragically died just four days after his birth. Larry’s brief life and death were a source of profound sorrow for the entire family. Dolly has cited her brother Larry’s passing as the inspiration behind the emotional depth of her 2015 TV movie, Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors, highlighting the heartache that underpins their family’s success story.

Floyd Estel Parton: The Prolific Songwriter (1957–2018)

Floyd Estel Parton, born in 1957, was a highly accomplished and respected songwriter. He was a frequent collaborator with Dolly, writing some of her most beloved songs, including the hit duet "Rockin' Years" and "Shadow of a Man." Floyd passed away on December 6, 2018, at the age of 61. His legacy lives on through the beautiful music he contributed to the country genre.

The Youngest Siblings: Twins and the Actress

The youngest three children arrived as a set of twins and a younger sister, all born in 1957, bringing the total number of children to twelve.

Freida Estelle Parton and Rachel Ann Parton Dennison: The Twins (Age 68)

Freida and Rachel, born in 1957, are the youngest of the Parton siblings. Freida is known for her strong, rebellious streak and her career as a singer, often performing in rock and country-rock styles. She made headlines recently in late 2025 after posting a message on social media asking fans to pray for Dolly's health, causing a brief panic before clarifying her sister was simply "not feeling her best."

Rachel Ann Parton Dennison, the youngest of all twelve, followed a path into acting as well as music. She is best known for starring as Doralee Rhodes Brooks in the television adaptation of her sister's film, 9 to 5: The Series, which aired from 1982 to 1988. Like many of her siblings, Rachel also worked as a performer at Dollywood for many years, cementing the family's deep ties to the East Tennessee theme park and the enduring legacy of the Parton name.