Dolly Parton Opens Up About 'Cheating' On Her Husband In New Book

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Dolly Parton is one of few music stars who has been married to the same man for decades, but that does not mean she hasn’t stepped out when she wanted. 

Sometimes having an affair can stem from spending more time with a person other than your spouse or talking about your problems with someone who isn’t your spouse or partner. 

In a confession via her book titled “Dolly on Dolly: Interviews and Encounters with Dolly Parton,” the music legend opened up about the time she cheated on her husband and it putting her in a dark place. 

Read below for more information. 

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Parton first met her husband, Carl Dean at a laundromat in 1964. They dated for a while and decided to walk down the aisle on May 30, 1966. 

Parton had 11 other siblings, although three of them died along the line. Dean helped the star put some of her siblings through school which she pursued her musical career. 

Despite being together for over 54 years, Dean has maintained that he wants nothing to do with the spotlight. He seldom attends award events with his wife, and has only been to a couple of her shows in the past. Yet, the duo found a way to make their relationship work and be strong. 

So why did Parton cheat? 

Instagram / Dolly Parton

In 1982, the “Jolene” singer was interviews by the Ladies Home Journal, and she documented the details of the discussion in one of her books. 

Parton revealed that she had an “affair of the heart” with a good friend named Gregg Perry, who was also her band leader at the time. 

The duo became incredible close that the singer’s best friend, Judy Ogle decided to excuse herself by returning to the army. 

Parton explained in the interview that Perry was an intelligent man whom she easily liked. 

Instagram / Dolly Parton

According to Parton, they were always together because she was always performing at one show or the other and she had the band with her on such occasions.

Despite being married at the time, Parton was so completely wrapped up in this emotional affair that she lost track of a lot if things.

The duo co-wrote some songs, and after a long time, Perry announced that he could not move on with the job anymore. 

“He told me he couldn’t take the pressure and the B.S of the business anymore,” Parton noted.

Instagram / Dolly Parton

Perry’s reason for leaving the band was as candid they come, but there may have been other reasons on his mind that Parton did not know about. 

Nevertheless, the singer was devastated by his absence because she had spent a lot if time with and confided in him too many times. 

To ease her burning heart, she wrote a special song about the affair and titled it “What a Heartache.” Speaking to Vanity Fair about the song, Parton said;

”It all involved a personal heartbreak- I’m not gonna call names. But it’s plain, ain’t it? It was love.” 

Fans definitely knew who the song was dedicated to.