Dolly Parton learned early in her career that being a country music star takes sacrifice, which is why she chose not to have kids with her husband of 54 years, Carl Dean. Chatting with Oprah Winfrey in the latest edition of "The Oprah Conversation," the 74-year-old music icon explained that having the freedom to focus on her career was what made her successful.
"Since I had no kids, and my husband was pretty independent, I had freedom," she said in a clip of the show shared by Today. "So I think a big part of my whole success is the fact that I was free to work."
Although Parton may not have children of her own, the legend has helped millions of kids across the world through her non-profit organization, Imagination Library, which ensures that they are equipped with books to help them learn. Parton believes it is part of her destiny.
"And 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 told Winfrey. "I wouldn't be in a position to do all of the things I'm doing now."
Parton has worked tirelessly for decades and shows no sign of slowing down. In October, she released her first Christmas album in 30 years and has even considered posing for Playboy again. Her career continues to soar and it is because of the choices she has made in the past.
"I've made sacrifices, but I think, like I said, I believe what I know I'm supposed to do," she said. "I've made the sacrifice of time ... and not having time to spend with family, and you give up family and friends, vacation, and work without end, 24/7, 365, but you got to make the sacrifice."
Zoe Papadakis ✉
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.
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