Who Is Dolly Parton’s Best Friend?
Dolly Parton is a singer, a songwriter, an actor, and an author who has never been shy when speaking about things like her childhood and her career. But when it comes to the people in Parton’s life, fans don’t know much about her husband or her best friend.
Here’s more on the man the Queen of Country has been married to for over 50 years and the woman she been best friends with even longer.
Who is Dolly Parton’s husband?
Despite being married to one of the biggest country music stars in the world Parton’s husband, Carl Dean, has managed to stay out of the spotlight.
The pair met in 1964 outside a laundromat in Nashville. “My first thought was ‘I’m gonna marry that girl,’” Dean said (per Entertainment Tonight) of their initial encounter.
They began dating and tied the knot two years later.
The “Jolene” artist spoke about her hubby and their marriage on Dan Wootton’s podcast. “It’s a true love story… He’s crazy. He’s funny. I think laughter has been a big part of our relationship,” Parton revealed. “We both have a lot of fun. We’re not in the same business — he doesn’t care about any of that. He’s pretty much a homebody, loves staying around home.”
Who is Parton’s best friend?
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Parton’s best friend is Judy Ogle. The two have known each other all their lives and became friends when they were children. Parton talked about their friendship in an interview with The Sun:
“Judy and I have been best friends since we were little kids. Our parents knew each other, we grew up together, we were like sisters, became best friends. She was very quiet, I was very outgoing. So we made perfect friends. We went all through school together. She went to the army when we graduated because she needed the insurance and she needed to help her family and I was trying to make it. As soon as she got out, she came to Nashville and we’ve been together ever since.”
Ogle has been involved in some Parton productions. Her film credits include Christmas on the Square, Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings, A Smoky Mountain Christmas, and Dolly in Concert. Ogle also appeared in the documentary For the Love of Dolly.
Parton addressed rumors that they had a romantic relationship
There have been rumors over the years that Ogle was Parton’s secret girlfriend but the “I Will Always Love You” songbird denied that they were ever in a romantic relationship.
“People say that because you can’t really have a great relationship with a woman,” Parton told The Sun. “I’m not gay but I have so many gay friends and I accept everybody for who they are. People love to talk. People love to gossip. They’ve said that about Oprah [and Gayle King], but it’s not true.”
Parton also spoke of Ogle’s love life telling the publication: “She dates and she has had several boyfriends. The fact that they never see my husband, they make it out that we are in a relationship. It doesn’t upset me but it upsets and embarrasses Judy and her family. I say to her which would you prefer — being called an old maid or a lesbian? She says lesbian every time!”
