Dolly Parton is a big star today, but her path to glory was not easy at all. Dolly was born in poverty and had to fight against adversity since she was little.
However, she never lost hope or passion for music. She discovers how the childhood of a dreamy girl helped her on the path to success.
Dolly Parton was born for the first time on January 19, 1946 in Tennessee. Raised in a humble family, she was the fourth of twelve children, and her parents struggled hard to support all the children. Her home was a rudimentary cabin on the banks of the river, without electricity or running water.
Despite having almost no money, it was important to her parents that her children were decent people. “We always joked that we didn't even know we were poor until some know-it-all showed up and she mentioned it,” says the singer. “We didn't have money, but we were rich in things that money doesn't buy, like love, kindness, and understanding.”
Since she rose to fame, Dolly has not been afraid to share the difficult moments that marked her childhood. With so many children in a small room, up to three or four slept in a bed, which they often wet. When this happened, she didn't bother to change the sheets.
“That was the only warm thing we knew in winter,” she said. “It was almost a pleasure to urinate because it was so cold.” Another common routine for the family was hunting squirrels, turtles, and groundhogs for food. After all, there weren't many other options left in the mountains.
Despite the hard knocks, Dolly always paid tribute to the cherished memories. For example, her song “Coat of Many Colors” is inspired by a patchwork coat made by her mother. Although she was embarrassed for wearing it at school, she was very grateful.
Without a doubt, her humble upbringing left a deep mark on her soul. Everyday struggles, the resilience of ordinary people, and the stories of rural life became the creative fuel that would fuel her career for years to come.
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Despite the modest rural life, music flowed through the veins of the entire family and gave them comfort and hope. They all sang and played instruments at home and at church. It was her uncle Bill who gave Dolly her first guitar when she was seven years old. At age ten, her performances at local gatherings led to a gig on a Knoxville radio and television show.
Dolly left her rural life behind as soon as she finished school and sought opportunities in the vibrant city of Nashville. She packed her bravery, her talent, and a handful of lovingly written songs. On the stages of Nashville, she found her voice and became a rising country music phenomenon.
“I wouldn't change anything about growing up in the Great Smoky Mountains,” she says. “I have never been ashamed of my people, no matter how poor or dirty we have been. “I have always loved being where I am from and having had the people I had.”
Today, Dolly Parton's name resonates around the world. But behind the luxury and shine, beats the heart of a woman who never forgot her roots and reminds us all that the most extraordinary destinations can be born from the most humble places.
