Dolly Parton believed music was her calling from a young age. She began playing at the age of ten, and three years later, she debuted on the Grand Ole Opry, earning $20 per week.

Most of her mother’s family members were quite musical and played instruments, thus music was an important part of her life from the time she was born. Her love of music grew even stronger after her uncle Lewis handed her his beloved tiny Martin guitar.

Parton arrived in Nashville shortly after graduating from high school and immediately ascended to stardom. Throughout her career, she has written over 3,000 songs, sold over 100 million albums, topped the country charts 25 times, and received eight Grammy Awards.

She and her longtime husband, Carl Dean, never had children, and Parton says it was a mutual decision, though they do wonder what their children would have looked like if they had.

Speaking on the subject, she explained to Today the reasoning behind her decision.

“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.”