Dolly Parton, the beloved country singer, has always been open about her attraction to men, despite being married to her husband Carl Dean for over five decades.
Her candidness has sparked rumors of numerous affairs with Hollywood hunks like Sylvester Stallone, Burt Reynolds, and even her long-time friend and assistant Judy Ogle.
Parton once famously confessed, “I love to flirt, and I've never met a man I didn't like.”
The speculation surrounding her personal life intensified when she innocently admitted to sharing a bed with Judy.
However, the 74-year-old singer clarifies that she has never had a romantic relationship or desired to be with a woman, although she has fallen for other men.
In fact, she describes her marriage as “open,” as reported by Mirror.
Addressing the affair rumors, Parton explains that while her relationship with Dean is open, physical intimacy with others is not an option.
She admits that men are her weakness and that she has had crushes on various men, regardless of their appearance.
Nonetheless, Parton reassures that Dean knows she always comes home and that flirting and having fun does not involve s**ual encounters, according to Daily Mail.
In another interview, Parton reveals that neither she nor Dean are jealous individuals.
They both flirt with others, but their openness does not extend to s**ual relationships.
However, she jokingly adds that if Dean were to engage in extramarital affairs, she would not hesitate to take action, and vice versa.
Despite their open marriage, their love for each other remains strong.
During the early 1980s, Parton found herself in a dark place when an “affair of the heart” ended badly.
In her book, ‘Dolly on Dolly, Interviews, and Encounters with Dolly Parton,' she shares a vulnerable moment when she contemplated suicide.
Sitting in her bedroom, she noticed the gun she kept for protection and considered using it.
However, her little dog Popeye's presence interrupted her thoughts, acting as a spiritual messenger that brought her back to reality.
While there were many men who caught Parton's eye throughout her career, there was one A-lister with whom she couldn't wait to get close: Burt Reynolds.
Their on-screen chemistry in ‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas' fueled rumors of a real-life affair.
Parton playfully admitted, “I couldn't wait to jump into bed with Burt Reynolds…in the movie, not in real life.”
Reynolds himself acknowledged the mutual attraction, stating that he couldn't help but admire her face after working together for so long.
It provided behind-the-scenes glimpses into what made her a multi-faceted female icon.
One of the documentary's significant revelations was the enduring relationship between Parton and her elusive husband, Carl Thomas Dean, who have been married for 54 years.
Dolly Parton continues to captivate audiences with her talent, charm, and openness about her personal life.
Her ability to maintain a strong and loving marriage while indulging in harmless flirtations showcases the complexity of human relationships.
