Dolly Parton: From Humble Beginnings to a Generous Heart

Not only did she write and record the original version of “I Will Always Love You,” but she has also graced the silver screen, written books, and made her mark as a successful businesswoman and humanitarian.

Dolly Parton grew up ‘dirt poor’ and never saw a toilet until she was eight years old; she now generously donates to charities.

A Childhood Shaped by Poverty
Born on January 19, 1946, in Tennessee, Dolly Parton grew up in humble circumstances. The fourth of twelve children, she experienced firsthand the hardships of poverty. Her father was an illiterate sharecropper, and her mother, of Welsh descent, entertained the family with stories and ballads. Despite their financial struggles, Parton’s parents ensured that their children had food, shelter, and clothing. Parton fondly recalls her childhood, saying:

“We were poor, but I never felt poor. We always had enough to eat, a roof over our heads, and clothes on our backs. Mama and Daddy would point out others who were worse off than us. Everything felt normal to me. It’s only when you look back on eating beans and cornbread, sharing beds, using newspaper for insulation, and using an outhouse that you realize, yes, we were poor.”

Learning Life’s Essentials
Growing up in a crowded one-room cabin near the Little Pigeon River, the Parton family spent most of their time outdoors due to the limited space. In a surprising revelation, Parton admitted that she didn’t see a toilet until she was eight years old when visiting her aunt’s house. She was hesitant to use it, fearing it might “suck them right down.” Parton also revealed that they made their own soap and bathed only once a week during the winter. However, in high school, she had to wash every day because she and her siblings slept together and “the kids peed on me every night.”