# Dolly Parton’s Siblings **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 26, 2026, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-s-siblings/1032566 "2026-08-26T13:44:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![19USMC69](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/ac91a4/32.png) [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-s-siblings/1032566/1 "2026-08-26T13:44:57Z")
Not that I’ve seen all that has ever been written/said about Dolly Parton, but I’ve never seen any comments about her many (10?) siblings. One might assume it was intentional. Anyone? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-s-siblings/1032566/2 "2026-08-26T13:47:24Z")
Maybe it is like her husband, who made almost zero public appearances? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-s-siblings/1032566/3 "2026-08-26T13:50:51Z")
From the obituary ([gift link](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/25/arts/music/dolly-parton-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.8VA.91f6.5zfyC1JSd90s&smid=url-share)) in the New York Times > Ms. Parton is survived by six of her siblings: Willadeene Parton, Robert Lee Parton Jr., Stella Parton, Cassie Parton, Freida Parton and Rachel Ann Parton George. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-s-siblings/1032566/4 "2026-08-26T13:53:38Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Maybe it is like her husband, who made almost zero public appearances? That is the most likely answer. Only one brother and two sisters have been notable enough for their own Wikipedia articles. > **[Randy Parton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Parton)** > > Randle Huston Parton (December 15, 1953 – January 21, 2021) was an American country music singer-songwriter, actor, and businessman. Randle Huston Parton was born in Sevierville, Tennessee, the eighth of twelve children born to Avie Lee Caroline (née Owens; 1923–2003) and Robert Lee Parton Sr. (1921–2000). He was a younger brother of singer-songwriters Dolly (1946–2026) and Stella Parton and an older brother of former actress Rachel Parton George. Parton was the first person to record the song ... > **[Stella Parton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stella_Parton)** > > Stella Mae Parton (born May 4, 1949) is an American country singer and songwriter widely known for a series of country singles that charted during the mid-to-late-1970s, her biggest hit being "I Want to Hold You in My Dreams Tonight" in 1975. She is the younger sister of singer-songwriter Dolly Parton and the older sister of actress Rachel Parton George and Randy Parton. Stella Mae Parton was born in Sevierville, Tennessee, the sixth of 12 children born to Avie Lee Caroline (née Owens; 1923–200... > **[Rachel Parton George](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_Parton_George)** > > Rachel Ann Parton George (formerly Dennison, née Parton; born August 31, 1959) is an American singer and actress and the youngest sibling of entertainer Dolly Parton. Rachel Parton George was born Rachel Ann Parton on August 31, 1959 in Franklin, Tennessee. She is the youngest of twelve children born to Avie Lee Caroline (née Owens; 1923–2003) and Robert Lee Parton Sr. (1921–2000). In addition to famous sister Dolly, George's other performing siblings include singer/songwriter Stella Parton, an... ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-s-siblings/1032566/5 "2026-08-26T14:09:27Z")
> [@19USMC69](#): > > her many (10?) siblings. Dolly was the 4th of 12 children born to her parents, so she had 11 siblings. ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-s-siblings/1032566/6 "2026-08-26T14:11:55Z")
Her sister Rachel played her role in the TV version of _9 to 5._ ---
**Author:** ![Author\_Balk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Author\_Balk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Author_Balk)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-s-siblings/1032566/7 "2026-08-26T21:57:37Z")
I have The Rolling Stones Record Guide from the early 80s. For Stella Parton it has: Yeah, she’s Dolly’s sister. No, they don’t have anything in common, musically or (ahem) physically. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-s-siblings/1032566/8 "2026-08-26T22:28:52Z")
I quite like some of Stella Parton’s songs. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-s-siblings/1032566/9 "2026-08-26T22:38:42Z")
> [@Author\_Balk](#): > > I have The Rolling Stones Record Guide from the early 80s. For Stella Parton it has: > > Yeah, she’s Dolly’s sister. No, they don’t have anything in common, musically or (ahem) physically. Sounds like Dave Marsh (RIP for him as well, I guess). ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2026, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-s-siblings/1032566/10 "2026-08-26T22:44:32Z")
One of Dolly’s brothers-in-law, Larry Seaver (married to her sister Cassie), was apparently her longtime head of security. His son, Bryan Seaver (Dolly’s nephew), who had held the same role for over 20 years, was the family member who made the public announcement about her passing yesterday. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-s-siblings/1032566/11 "2026-08-27T01:29:29Z")
There are plenty of pictures of her siblings online. Several had minor musical careers. What struck me was how little resemblance there was between Dolly and anyone in her entire family, beyond her early childhood. ---
**Author:** ![Author\_Balk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Author\_Balk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Author_Balk)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-s-siblings/1032566/12 "2026-08-27T01:39:11Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > Sounds like Dave Marsh (RIP for him as well, I guess). It does have a DM after it, so I assume it is Dave Marsh. I didn’t realize he recently died. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-s-siblings/1032566/13 "2026-08-27T02:19:42Z")
> [@Author\_Balk](#): > > Yeah, she’s Dolly’s sister. No, they don’t have anything in common, musically or (ahem) physically. Rachel has more (ahem) physically in common with Dolly. Remember, that Dolly was frank about having a lot of work done, and Rachel was 17 years younger. [![](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/0WRd_BDSHoRRXrFqn-8ykN14lqY=/3000x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(200000):strip_icc():format(webp)/240616_Dotdash_Dolly_Rachel_JW_AR_3_0436-LSHedit-FINAL-v3-3x2-cdd0b411885b4f2cbd2ed0dca3d0986d.jpg) ](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/0WRd_BDSHoRRXrFqn-8ykN14lqY=/3000x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(200000):strip_icc():format(webp)/240616_Dotdash_Dolly_Rachel_JW_AR_3_0436-LSHedit-FINAL-v3-3x2-cdd0b411885b4f2cbd2ed0dca3d0986d.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-s-siblings/1032566/14 "2026-08-27T13:15:30Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > What struck me was how little resemblance there was between Dolly and anyone in her entire family, beyond her early childhood. Didn’t she always wear a wig in her public persona? With that and the makeup, I kinda wonder how much resemblance there was between Dolly and Dolly. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-s-siblings/1032566/15 "2026-08-27T15:25:30Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Didn’t she always wear a wig in her public persona? AIUI, yes. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-s-siblings/1032566/16 "2026-08-27T15:51:36Z")
When I see this title, it makes me think: I’d like to see the coyote eat the roadrunner And I’d like to see Knievel blown to nibblings I’d like to see Rex Humbard lay his hands upon Maude Aimee But I’d love to see that Dolly Parton’s siblings ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-s-siblings/1032566/17 "2026-08-27T16:26:42Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Didn’t she always wear a wig in her public persona? With that and the makeup, I kinda wonder how much resemblance there was between Dolly and Dolly. I think she and Bill Shatner are two celebs who are/were never seen without their wig. I always figured Shatner would get a hair transplant, but I think he just got used to his extremely expensive wigs and never changed. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-s-siblings/1032566/18 "2026-08-27T16:40:22Z")
One of Dolly’s retorts, when asked if she was bothered by “dumb blonde jokes” is “No, because I know I’m not dumb and I’m not blonde.” There is no way to have 65 years of turning your hair bleach or platinum blonde and having it look anywhere near healthy at 80 years old. She very much was always in a wig. I think it was pretty genius of her to always “stay in character” and really no look was more shocking than the last. I can’t imagine what fun she must have had going incognito 😃 ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-s-siblings/1032566/19 "2026-08-27T20:13:56Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Didn’t she always wear a wig in her public persona? With that and the makeup, I kinda wonder how much resemblance there was between Dolly and Dolly There are numerous pictures of her without gaudy makeup, and her wigs are usually off her face so they don’t obscure it. I think she looks fantastic without all the makeup, but either way she doesn’t look much like her family. The only ones where she does is when they’re all so heavily made up, all you can see is lipstick and mascara. [![](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2024/06/05/multimedia/00parton-dolly-phwq/00parton-dolly-phwq-superJumbo.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp) ](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2024/06/05/multimedia/00parton-dolly-phwq/00parton-dolly-phwq-superJumbo.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp) [![](https://www.women.com/img/gallery/dolly-parton-natural-hair-so-different-from-her-wigs/dolly-parton-thinks-there-is-no-such-thing-as-natural-beauty-1787763073.webp) ](https://www.women.com/img/gallery/dolly-parton-natural-hair-so-different-from-her-wigs/dolly-parton-thinks-there-is-no-such-thing-as-natural-beauty-1787763073.webp) [![](https://people.com/thmb/3jzB0UKH-7oco9lCrk5N1xrv99M=/4000x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(449x0:451x2):format(webp)/dolly-parton-carl-dean-4-bc44d8c853f748f387e2ad91e8050ccc.jpg) ](https://people.com/thmb/3jzB0UKH-7oco9lCrk5N1xrv99M=/4000x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(449x0:451x2):format(webp)/dolly-parton-carl-dean-4-bc44d8c853f748f387e2ad91e8050ccc.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-s-siblings/1032566/20 "2026-08-27T20:32:03Z")
“People always ask me how long it takes to do my hair. I don’t know, I’m never there.” ― **Dolly Parton** [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dolly-parton-s-siblings/1032566.md?page=2)