Dolly Parton Believed God Didn't Intend for Her and Husband Carl Dean to Have Kids — as Country Music Icon Dies Less Than 2 Years After Her Partner

Country icon Dolly Parton passed away at age 80 on Tuesday, August 25, leaving behind family, friends and fans, but no children of her own.

Parton was married to her husband, Carl Dean, from 1966 until he died in 2025; however, the couple never had any kids, with the singer often sharing in interviews that parenthood was not meant for her and her spouse.

In a 2020 episode of Apple TV+’s The Oprah Conversation, the “Jolene” singer told Oprah Winfrey that not having children allowed her the independence that ultimately allowed her career to thrive.

"Since I had no kids, and my husband was pretty independent, I had freedom," she said. "So I think a big part of my whole success is the fact that I was free to work."

The late superstar admitted she made "sacrifices" over the course of her career, but believed there was a reason why her life panned out the way it did.

"I didn’t have children because I believed that God didn’t mean for me to have kids so everybody’s kids could be mine, so I could do things like Imagination Library, because if I hadn’t had the freedom to work, I wouldn’t have done all the things I’ve done,” she continued to tell Winfrey. “I wouldn’t be in a position to do all of the things I’m doing now."

In one of her final interviews, she opened up about the sacrifices she’s made, telling PEOPLE in 2025 that she’s grateful she never had to feel guilty about leaving children behind to do her job.

"You know, I have just been going so fast my whole life. And I just start thinking, 'How in the world did I even have a life? How did I even get it done?' I really realized when I was putting this book [Star of the Show: My Life on Stage] together just how much I had sacrificed in my life," she shared. "I never had children, so at least I didn’t have a guilty feeling. I’m thankful that I got to see my dreams come true."

Parton’s nephew Bryan Seaver announced the country music icon had passed in a video shared to Instagram on Tuesday.

"My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he said in the clip.

His statement continued: “My family and I have shared a lifetime of beautiful memories with Dolly, but so have you. She has always been on your television, your record player, your CD and on your phone playlist, becoming an extended part of your family whether you liked it or not."

"Our family and the team she has entrusted with her legacy will work diligently to ensure her spirit will live with us forever," he continued. "Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life of wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.”