Country music legend Dolly Parton has explained why she and Carl Dean, her husband of 54 years, never had any children.
During a recent episode of The Oprah Conversation, the legendary country singer opened up about her successful career; saying that her decision to not have children with her husband played a huge role.
Parton, who turns 75 in January, told Oprah, “Since I had no children, and my husband was pretty independent, I had freedom. So I think a big part of my whole success is the fact that I was free to work.”
The Jolene singer’s decision to not have children doesn’t reflect how she feels about them, though. In fact, Parton shared it has allowed her the opportunity to launch programs like her Imagination Library; which provides free books to children until they start school.
“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,” Parton explained. “I wouldn’t be in a position to do all of the things I’m doing now.”
For the question of whether it was worth it, Parton said she feels like she’s exactly where she’s supposed to be. “I’ve made sacrifices. But I think, like I said, I believe what I know I’m supposed to do,” she said.
