When you’re as iconic and adored as Dolly Parton, you’re sure to encounter some unforgettable moments with fans. However, the country music legend recalls one incident in particular that stands out as the most unusual, and it happened right at her Nashville residence.
“It was years ago, when ‘Jolene’ was released,” Parton shared with Larry King in 2016, reflecting on the peculiar encounter.
“I came home from work to our new home in Brentwood and found a basket at the gate. Initially, I thought, ‘Oh, someone left us some food or goodies.’ But when I peered inside, to my astonishment, there was a baby nestled within. A note accompanied the baby, stating, ‘My name is Jolene, and I want you to have me for keeps,’ or something along those lines.”
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Naturally taken aback, the singer of hits like “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You” handled the situation with poise. “I immediately headed to the house,” Parton recounted. “The lady there advised me to contact child services, which I promptly did. They arrived, but I never learned what became of baby Jolene. It was the strangest, most unsettling thing I’ve ever experienced.”
Although the fate of baby Jolene remains a mystery, Parton has often pondered whether she may have unknowingly encountered the now-grown woman at one of her concerts. “I’ve wondered about that,” she shared with The Windy City Times. “I doubt that person would ever realize the circumstances of her arrival. There was no way to trace it, nor did I wish to. It was important for the authorities to handle it independently, as we had no involvement.”
Throughout her illustrious career, Parton’s dedication to children has been evident, notably through her Imagination Library program. Launched in 1995 in her hometown of Sevier County, Tennessee, the initiative has provided over 135 million books to children nationwide.
