Highlights
- Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton had a long lasting and steamy friendship that lasted for many years.
- Rumors of a romantic involvement changed their friendship.
- Kenny Rogers' ex-wife Marianne Gordon made a remark about his bond with Dolly Parton.
Kenny Rogers collaborated with many aspiring and seasoned musicians in his decades-long career, however some of his most scorching partnerships were no doubt with the enduring Dolly Parton. From 'Islands within the Stream' to 'You Can't Make Old Friends,' the duo controlled to churn out a string of unforgettable hits prior to Kenny's passing in March 2020, cementing their standing as the ultimate nation music duet.
Their implausible chemistry wasn't confined to the level on my own; it spilled over into their off-stage interactions. In truth, Rogers once candidly remarked to HuffPost that they "teased each other" and "flirted with each other for 30 years," leaving enthusiasts convinced that he and Parton must have dated sooner or later.
With rumors of a secret affair between the two constantly circulating within the tabloids, enthusiasts will have to marvel, did any of Rogers' five ex-wives find his close bond with Parton objectionable?"
Kenny Rogers And Dolly Parton Had A Friendship Spanning Decades
Country crooner Kenny Rogers had made many famous friends before his passing in March 2020. However, none of his friendships were quite as enduring or steamy as his relationship with Dolly Parton. The two first crossed paths back in the '80s when Rogers was desperately trying to breathe some life into his iconic hit, 'Islands in the Stream.'
“We had met before ‘Islands’ but we weren’t friends,” Rogers shared with People in 2013. “We became friends when we started working together, and touring.”

The duo continued to linger in each other’s lives long after ‘Islands on the stream’ had become a chart-topping sensation.
“Kenny’s friendship means more to me than our hit records,” Parton once told CMT of her friendship with the legendary crooner. “Actually, we’re kind of soul mates. He’s from Texas and I’m from Tennessee. There’s an old famous country song ‘T for Texas, T for Tennessee.’ We always sing that to each other. I love his singing. I love his voice. I never tire of hearing him sing.”
The twosome would collaborate on multiple iconic hits throughout their decades-long friendship, including ‘Sunshine,’ ‘Something’s Burning,’ and ‘Once Again She’s All Alone.’ So profound and enduring was their friendship, they even started to laugh at the same jokes.

"We're really just right friends,'' Parton shared with Today in 2017. "And we're so much alike. We know the same people. We laugh at the same kind of jokes. I tell jokes and I tell him not to tell that I told the joke."
Unsurprisingly, Parton used to be deeply aggrieved when Rogers kicked the bucket in March 2020, penning a heartfelt tribute to the singer simply hours after his passing become public wisdom.
“You never understand how a lot you're keen on somebody till they’re long past. I’ve had such a lot of glorious years and wonderful times with my pal Kenny, however above the entire track and the luck I beloved him as a lovely guy and a real friend,” she wrote on Twitter at the time, adding, “So you be secure with God and simply know that I will be able to all the time love you, Dolly.”
Did Kenny Rogers And Dolly Parton Ever Date?
Though she's been married to her husband Carl Dean for many years, Dolly Parton has confronted multiple rumors of affairs, probably the most ordinary revolving round her close friend, Kenny Rogers. The duo at all times appeared on the breaking point of a romantic involvement, even whilst they had been both married to people.
"There was just something about mine and Kenny's chemistry with each other, our friendship, that people really sense what we really feel," Dolly shared in their video for ‘You Can’t Make Old Friends’. "There are different kinds of soul mates, but with Kenny, I just see him and I smile."

Surprisingly, Dolly and Kenny's friendship by no means evolved into one thing more. "We were almost like brother and sister,'' Parton shared with Today in 2017. "And it will nearly be like incest. So we just never went there."
However, their decision to steer clear of romance didn't stop them from engaging in a relentless game of teasing and flirtation. “She’s too good of a friend. It would have ruined a friendship,” Rogers shared on an episode of CBS This Morning. “We had a real chemistry and love people talking about it. It was great to hear people talking about it and (she’d wink) and I would wink back. But we were too good of friends.”
Speaking to Today in 2017, Rogers cheekily confessed that he'd resisted getting romantically involved with Parton to keep the sparks flying. "I'm a believer that stress is best for those who keep it than in case you fulfill it,'' he stated.
Parton, never one to go into reverse, frequently shot again with her own sassy remarks, famously quipping that she'd by no means been able to catch Rogers between his many journeys to the altar. “He’s been married about 40 occasions! I couldn’t catch him between other halves!,” she told People in 2013.
Were Any Of Kenny Rogers’ Five Ex-Wives Jealous Of His Relationship With Dolly Parton?
Despite his scorching chemistry with Parton, Kenny Rogers remained married for most of their decades-long friendship. In reality, the country crooner was still married to his fourth spouse, Marianne Gordon, when the 2 first crossed paths in the 80s. So, did Gordon ever in finding his intimate bond with Dolly downright objectionable?

Well, as it turns out, the now 77-year-old was so assured in Kenny's devotion, she by no means fretted about his relationship with Parton.
“I never felt uncomfortable at all. I just knew him so well,” she shared with Closer Weekly in 2020.
“But, it’s humorous that you say that. We had a tennis pro who traveled with us, Doug Dean asked me too. I told him Kenny mentioned, 'I really like her [Dolly] as a friend and we've a really perfect factor on level. We’d lose it. There is sexual rigidity and teasing every other and it might screw it up.'”
That said, Gordon wasn't solely satisfied that Parton hadn't made a transfer on Kenny. “Dolly would possibly have [made a move although]. It’s entered my thoughts because she at all times stated she concept like a person. I don’t mean it badly. Dolly is a amusing lady,” she mentioned, including, "He sincerely felt they had a cute thing going, and if any happened between them, they’d ruin that."
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