This Is Why Dolly Parton Doesn't Have Any Children

Country legend Dolly Parton loves kids, there's no doubt about that, but when asked why she never had any of her own, the answer is simple: It wasn't in God's plan. Over the years, fans have wondered why the singer/songwriter and her husband of more than five decades, Carl Dean, never chose to become parents. Parton has even asked herself the same question. Apparently, she and Dean did talk about expanding their family when they first got married in 1966, but some health issues got in the way. Parton told The Guardian in 2014... "If we'd had a girl, she was gonna be called Carla...Anyway, we talked about it, and we dreamed it, but it wasn't meant to be." In her thirties, Parton underwent a partial hysterectomy and found out she couldn't have children. According to Made For Mums, Parton said in an interview… "Suddenly I was a middle-aged woman. I went through a dark time, until I made myself snap out of it...We never did think of adopting. I guess I didn't have the time. I had my career...I had younger brothers and sisters, so I had that responsibility and that joy and that duty." Parton may not have had her own children but her loving nature and outgoing personality made her the ideal babysitter. She's always been a favorite aunt, a cool grandmother figure, and an all-around fun adult to be around. Let's not forget that she's Miley Cyrus' godmother and has continuously been a part of her life. Besides her goddaughter, Parton has often talked about spending time with other people's kids, telling The Huffington Post… "I'm the perfect grandma, I'm the perfect aunt, I'm the perfect babysitter, because I don't have children. So I bring them over to visit me by choice...If they get out of line, all I have to do is imply that I'll take them home or call their mom to come get them." Not only is Parton drawn to children, the kiddos can't get enough of her. In addition to her endless enthusiasm and child-like sense of wonder, she told Today that there are other reasons kids gravitate towards her. It also sounds like Parton has the type of home that any kid would love to visit. She told The Times U.K. in 2010… "You wouldn't believe my place!...I got tree houses. I got caves. I love to babysit 'cause it gives me a chance to play." In addition to entertaining kids, Parton has dedicated a big part of her life to caring for them. She founded a nonprofit organization called the Imagination Library. It's a community-based reading initiative that mails a free book every month to children from the day they're born until they reach the age of 5. Her charity has donated more than 100 million books and earned her a nickname that she's very proud of: "the book lady." The library's literacy mission is very personal to Parton because her father never learned to read or write, which always troubled him. Parton elaborated on Good Morning America… "And so I wanted to do something special for him, so I got the idea to start this program and let my dad help me with it." Parton's work for kids doesn't end there. In 2017, she released a children's album titled I Believe in You. Many of the songs are personal and address important issues, like bullying and childhood illness. Parton told The Huffington Post that releasing a children's album has been a goal of hers for years. "I've had children's songs by the stacks for years...I write songs for Imagination Library with all the books that we put out and then I write personal songs for my little nieces and nephews and friends, so it just seemed to be a good time." There's yet another treat that Parton put together for kids and their parents. In the spring of 2020, she started Goodnight with Dolly, a virtual story time series to help entertain all the youngsters stuck at home. It features the superstar relaxing in her bedroom and reading from her favorite children's books. Looking back on her life, Parton told Today that fate led her to become a mother to many children, instead of just a mother to her own. In 2020, Parton celebrated her 74th birthday, and she's on top of the world. The queen of country still has a booming music career. She's a very successful businesswoman, a generous philanthropist and is surrounded by her loving family, countless fans, and plenty of kids. Watch the video to see why Dolly Parton doesn't have any children. #DollyParton #Dollywood