Dolly Parton has addressed the long-standing rumours about her sexuality - despite being married to her husband Carl Dean since 1966.
In a new interview with The Sun, the Nashville legend denied that she is in a relationship with her friend, Judy Ogle.
Dolly has been married to businessman, Carl Dean for over fifty years and the couple even renewed their vows on their fiftieth wedding anniversary in 2016.
But the rumour that won’t go away suggests that her lifetime best friend Judy Ogle is actually her partner.
“So people say that — because you can’t really have a great relationship with a woman. I’m not gay but I have so many gay friends and I accept everybody for who they are,” Parton said.
Well, people love to talk, people love to gossip. They’ve said that about Oprah but it’s not true
Parton and Ogle have been best friends for 63 years since they were little kids.
“Our parents knew each other, we grew up together, we were like sisters, became best friends”
Parton also noted that the gossip doesn’t bother her, once it doesn’t affect her friends and family.
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“People love to talk — but sometimes that’s your best publicity,” she said.
“I don’t care what they say as long as they don’t hurt other people I love.”
Over the past decade, Parton has addressed the rumours several times.
Speaking to the New York Daily News in 2012, she famously said: “I am not gay, but if I were I would be the first one running out of the closet.”
