In a 2016 interview with The Guardian, Parton acknowledged her rural childhood and what it was like to grow up how she did. She said:

“Of course, not everything was perfect, but I prefer to remember the best of times.”

She reminisced about singing at church, playing games with her siblings, and doing chores she disliked to help out. She also mentioned the endless laughter her family shared together.

Her siblings would often sing, the star explained but refused to play her “backup” singers when she wanted to take center stage.

Their home was chaotic, of course, but the love they all shared made it worth it to the country music star.

The family made use of the outdoors quite often since their cabin barely had enough room for them to sleep in, much less play games or cook.

Even with their challenges, Parton explained that her parents would remind them how lucky they were to have a roof over their heads and food to eat. She recalled:

”We were poor but I never felt poor.”

In a Playboy magazine interview with journalist Lawrence Grobel in March 1978, Parton revealed that it was not until she was eight that she saw a toilet and other basic bathroom items at her aunt’s home. She was fascinated by them.

Without running water or a proper bathroom, the family could not bathe as often. They often made homemade soap and drove to the nearby river to wash up.

Recalling how much of their homemade soap would run down the river and how dirty the children would get, Parton said they would have leave a ring around the Little Pigeon River, likening their river bath to a “bathtub.”

In the winter, it would get too cold or icy to use the river, and the family would preserve a pan of water to use sparingly. When Grobel asked how many times she and her family would bathe in the winter season, Parton replied:

”Well, we bathed once a week whether we needed it or not, as the saying goes.”

As she grew older, bathing became more important. As a high schools student, Dolly would try to wash up almost every night, noting the behaviors of the younger children. She revealed:

”The kids peed on me every night. We slept three and four in the bed. I would wash every night. And as soon as I go to bed, the kids would wet on me, and I’d have to get up in the morning and do the same thing.”

Parton did not act disgusted while telling her anecdote, explaining that the situation actually provided missing warmth in the winter.

Keeping all of her young life in mind, Parton has made it a mission to help those less fortunate than herself. She gives away millions of dollars every year, keeping her family in mind.

Her philanthropy is largely inspired by the love she has for her family. She remarked:

”My family will always be my greatest love. Sometimes it gets lost in the shuffle, but there’s an element of family in everything I do.”

In 2022, Forbes estimated Parton’s net worth at $375 million, making her a self-made millionaire. Her theme park, Dollywood, and her ownership over her song rights are largely responsible for this incredible fortune.

She uses much of that money to donate to a variety of causes, from animals to childhood literacy. The star also performs at charity events and tries to use her platform to help those in need however she can.