While many country music stars embrace parenthood, some have never had children—either by choice or due to circumstances. The decision to remain childfree is becoming more common, as shown by a 2023 Michigan State University study, which found that 1 in 5 adults in Michigan don’t plan to become parents. Across the U.S., the CDC reported a historic low fertility rate in 2023, marking the second consecutive year of decline.
Some country artists chose a childfree life, while others faced infertility, personal challenges, or never found the right time. Whether by choice or circumstance, these 11 stars have embraced life without biological children.
1. Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton and her husband Carl Dean never had children, though they initially assumed they would. In a 2014 interview with Billboard, Parton explained:
“We weren’t doing anything to stop it. In fact, we thought maybe we would. We even had names if we did, but it didn’t turn out that way.”
Rather than feeling regret, Parton believes it was meant to be. She has dedicated her life to helping children through her Imagination Library, providing millions of free books to kids worldwide.
2. Jeannie Seely
Although Jeannie Seely never had biological children, she played a significant role in raising her stepsons and Jack Greene’s children. Seely once joked about her unique experience of skipping parenthood and jumping straight into being a grandparent:
“I found out what people meant when they said that if I’d known grandchildren were so great, I would have just had them and skipped the children!”
3. LeAnn Rimes
LeAnn Rimes is a stepmother to her husband Eddie Cibrian’s two sons from his previous marriage. In 2018, she shared that she was open to the idea of having more children but was also happy balancing her busy career and stepmom role.
4. Randy Travis
Randy Travis wanted children, but life didn’t align for him. In a 2020 interview, his wife Mary shared that Travis had hoped for kids. However, his first wife Lib Hatcher was 16 years older than him, and they were unable to conceive.
5. Kenny Chesney
At 56 years old, Kenny Chesney still hasn’t had kids but remains open to the possibility. In a 2010 interview with Parade, he shared:
“I hope I have kids one day, but I don’t wake up every day and miss that in my life.”
6. Blake Shelton
Blake Shelton never had biological children, but he has embraced the role of stepfather to Gwen Stefani’s three sons. In fact, he stepped away from The Voice to focus more on family life.
7. Sunny Sweeney
Sunny Sweeney has been vocal about her struggles with infertility and miscarriage. After failed fertility treatments, she unexpectedly became pregnant, only to suffer a heartbreaking miscarriage. In 2017, she shared that she and her husband were considering adoption, though they remain childless for now.
8. Trisha Yearwood
Trisha Yearwood never had biological children but plays a loving stepmother role to Garth Brooks’ three daughters. In an interview with SheKnows, she reflected on the transition into motherhood:
“When you don’t have children, you have the luxury of being selfish. Being a step-parent was a real lesson for me in putting others first.”
9. Miranda Lambert
Miranda Lambert hasn’t had children, but she is a stepmother to her husband Brendan McLoughlin’s son. In a 2024 interview, she shared that being childfree gives her more time to mentor young artists in the music industry.
10. Minnie Pearl
The legendary Minnie Pearl, known for her humor on the Grand Ole Opry, was married to Henry R. Cannon for decades but never had children. She focused on entertaining audiences and left behind an enduring legacy in country music.
11. Miley Cyrus
At 32 years old, Miley Cyrus hasn’t ruled out children but is strongly considering a childfree life. She admires her godmother Dolly Parton’s approach to giving back instead of raising kids.
“I feel like my fans are kind of my kids. I’ve heard Dolly say that too, because she didn’t have any kids.”