Dolly Parton Speaks Out On Marriage Rumours Following First Public Appearance

Music icon Dolly Parton, 80, has recently made a public appearance after a long time. The Jolene singer gave a speech on the opening day of Dollywood’s 41st season, addressing rumours that she had married Sylvester Stallone.

The music icon was joined on stage by Dollywood Company President Eugene Naughton. She playfully told her fans not to confuse him with her “new husband.”

“I bet some of you thought [Eugene’s] probably my new husband that you read about,” she told the audience in a video clip shared by WVLT 8.

“There are a lot of rumours going around, but I did not marry Sylvester Stallone, did you see that one? And I’m not dating anybody.

“I’m not married. I don’t think I’ll ever be married but once,” she explained.

“I think Carl Dean’s waiting for me on the other side. If I should show up at the pearly gates with somebody else, he would not like that,” Parton noted.

She was married to her late husband, Carl Dean, for 58 years before his death on March 3, 2025, at 82.

Dolly also opened up about her health issues, which had sparked concerns among fans, stating they were being taken care of.