How many Dolly Parton siblings have passed away? All about the singer’s brothers and sisters amid health battle

American singer, songwriter, actress, and philanthropist Dolly Parton is currently facing health challenges. She is 79 and lost her husband Carl Dean earlier this year, who was 82. On October 7, 2025, Dolly’s younger sister, Frieda Parton, 68, shared a Facebook message dedicated to her ailing older sister.

“Last night, I was up all night praying for my sister, Dolly. Many of you know she hasn’t been feeling her best lately. I truly believe in the power of prayer, and I have been led to ask all of the world that loves her to be prayer warriors and pray with me,” the post was captioned.

It continued with an image of Dolly Parton:

“She’s strong, she’s loved, and with all the prayers being lifted for her, I know in my heart she’s going to be just fine. Godspeed, my sissy Dolly. We all love you!”

Dolly Parton was one of eleven siblings. Four of them have passed away, including bridge builder superintendent David Parton in November 2024 at age 82, singer-songwriter Randy Parton from cancer in 2021 at age 67, songwriter Floyd Parton in December 2018 at age 61, and Larry Parton in 1955 at birth.

Freida Parton’s recent heartfelt message comes over a week after Dolly Parton postponed her Las Vegas concerts scheduled for December 2025, citing “health challenges.”

“I want the fans and public to hear directly from me that, unfortunately, I will need to postpone my upcoming Las Vegas concerts. As many of you know, I have been dealing with some health challenges, and my doctors tell me that I must have a few procedures,” she wrote on Instagram on September 28.

In the same post, she included a list of updated dates, which revealed that her shows from December 4 to 13, 2025, have been rescheduled for September 17 to 26, 2026. The original tickets will still be valid for the new dates, and refunds will be available, according to Dolly’s message.

---

All you need to know about Dolly Parton’s siblings

Among Dolly Parton’s living siblings, Willadeene, 84, is the oldest. She was born to Avie Lee Owens and Robert Lee Parton in March 1940 as their first child, a year after the couple’s wedding.

Willadeene is best known as an author. She published the memoir "Smoky Mountain Memories: Stories from the Hearts of the Parton Family" in 1996, followed by the family recipe book "All-Day Singing & Dinner on the Ground" in 1997. Earlier, Willadeene also sang gospel in the 1950s with her sisters Cassie and Stella.

Coy Parton, 81, is the oldest living brother and has spent most of his life out of the spotlight. Robert Parton Jr., 76, also keeps a private life.

Stella Parton, 75, was born in May 1949. She is a singer and actress who has performed with Dolly Parton and their sister, Cassie, including singing "Break My Mind" on The Porter Wagoner Show in 1970. She also wrote a memoir in 2011 titled "Tell It Sister, Tell It: Memories, Music and Miracles." Stella has released over 30 studio albums, including her 1975 debut "I Want to Hold You in My Dreams Tonight." She also competed on the reality TV show "Celebrity MasterChef" in 2018.

Her acting credits include a 1979 episode of The Dukes of Hazzard and the NBC TV movies Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors and Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Stella Parton also appeared in the 2022 Pure Flix original movie Nothing is Impossible.

Now aged 73, Cassie Parton, born in 1951, has been a gospel singer since her early life. The mother of two appeared on the 2013 Dollywood show, My People: Dolly’s Letter Home, an episode of the TV show Dolly, and the 2022 movie Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas. She now enjoys a secluded life.

Freida Parton, who shared the recent message for Dolly Parton, is the twin sister of the late Floyd Parton, born in June 1957, and the mother of country singer Jada. Country Now adds that she has lent her vocals to Dolly’s music over the decades. However, unlike her other siblings, who either pursued country or gospel music, Frieda, 67, made rock, punk, and pop music.

On a 1987 episode of "Live on Dolly!" Frieda and Stella joined Dolly Parton for a rendition of her song, "On Top of Old Smoky." Frieda Parton is also an ordained minister and previously owned a wedding chapel combined with an antique store called Parton Family Wedding Chapel & Antiques.

Rachel Parton George, 65, was born in August 1959. She is both a musician and an actress who appeared on the TV show Nine to Five, alongside Rita Moreno and Sally Struthers, from 1982 to 1983 and again from 1986 to 1988. Rachel released a country album in 1984 and played the role of Doralee Rhodes Brooks in the 1980 ABC sitcom 9 to 5. Together, Dolly and Rachel Parton wrote a 2024 cookbook titled Good Lookin’ Cookin’: A Year of Meals.

The late Randy Parton was a musician best known for 'Hold Me Like You Never Had Me,' 'Shot Full of Love,' 'Don’t Cry Baby,' 'Oh, No,' and 'A Stranger in Her Bed.' Likewise, the late Floyd Parton is remembered for his songwriting, including Dolly’s 1991 duet with Ricky Van Shelton, 'Rockin’ Years,' and the 1978 single 'Nickels and Dimes.' During her December 2024 appearance on Bunnie Xo’s Dumb Blonde podcast, the Heartbreaker singer spoke about her siblings.

"There was only 18 months, two years' difference in all of our ages. Mama and Daddy got married when Mama was 15, she had her first baby at 16, and they were just born right after each other. So, any older child had to help with whoever was coming along," she stated.

During the same conversation, Dolly explained that her newborn brother Larry’s death in July 1955 “crushed” her when she was 9. She also mentioned it was a “real hit” and felt guilty, despite not understanding much about death.

Dolly Parton released Smoky Mountain DNA in 2024, which chronicled her family on both sides. According to her website, it contained.

"detailed family history, track-by-track notes on each song and family member performing, and a gallery of rare family photographs."

---

In late September 2025, Dolly Parton announced that her upcoming Vegas concerts had been postponed to the following year. She mentioned it was her time for the “hundred-thousand-mile checkup,” joking that it wasn’t,

“The usual trip to see my plastic surgeon!”

The Grammy winner continued, “In all seriousness, given this, I am not going to be able to rehearse and put together the show that I want you to see, and the show that you deserve to see. You pay good money to see me perform, and I want to be at my best for you.”

Parton mentioned that she would keep working on her ongoing projects in Nashville, Tennessee, but she needed more time to get the “show ready.” However, she assured her fans that she wasn’t “quitting the music business.”

“God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet. But I believe he is telling me to slow down right now so I can be ready for more big adventures with all of you. I love you and thank you for understanding,” Dolly concluded.

Before that, she canceled her trip to Dollywood, citing an infection she contracted from her kidney stones.

The exact details of Dolly Parton’s health issues remain undisclosed. Her husband of 59 years, Carl Dean, died on March 3, 2025, at their home in Nashville, aged 82.