Dolly Parton and Judy Ogle Have Been Best Friends for Over 60 Years—Inside Their Sweet Friendship Story

The success that Dolly Parton has achieved over the years can be credited to her unparalleled talent, natural charisma, whip-smart sense of humor and dedication to her craft—but her family and friends have played a big role in her career as well. One of twelve children, the Partons were a close-knit crew, but outside of their family unit, Dolly found a lifelong friendship in Judy Ogle, who she met when she was just a girl in school. Since those early days in Tennessee to her glamorous life on the road, Dolly and Judy have stuck by each other’s side. Here, read all about their sweet friendship over the years. 

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Dolly Parton and her friend Judy Ogle go way back

Dolly Parton has made countless close pals over the years within the industry, but it’s one friendship in particular, which came long before fame, that stands out. In 2019, Dolly Parton opened up to The Sun, revealing at the time that she and Judy had “been best friends for 64 years, since we were little kids.” She continued, “Our ­parents knew each other, we grew up together, we were like ­sisters, became best friends.”

She explained that their personalities meshed well, sharing that “She was very quiet, I was very outgoing. So we made perfect friends. We went all through school together.”

After childhood, Judy proceeded to join the Army so she could get insurance and lend a hand to her family, but when her service concluded, she was by Dolly’s side, joining her in Nashville and sticking by her ever since. 

Judy Ogle traveled on the road with Dolly as her assistant

Imagine getting to work alongside your best friend every day, traveling the world with one another? For Dolly Parton and Judy Ogle, that was their reality for years. Ogle worked as Dolly’s assistant for a while, accompanying her on the road for some of the biggest moments of her career—and it’s an experience the “Jolene” singer cherishes. 

Earlier this year, in honor of National Best Friends Day, Dolly took to Instagram to share the love with her close pal. “I’ve always had a little bit of Tennessee with me at every point in my career, thanks to my best friend, Judy Ogle,” Dolly wrote. “She traveled with me, worked as my assistant and was there for anything I needed. We had so many adventures and so many laughs—and I can’t imagine my years on the road (or my life)—without her!”

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Over the years, folks have speculated the nature of Dolly and Judy’s relationship, with many believing their connection to be romantic, but Dolly has cleared the air multiple times, expressing that the bond she and her friend share is purely platonic. 

“Judy, my friend, they just think that you just can’t be that close to somebody,” Parton shared on Nightline. “Judy and I have been best friends since we were like in the third and fourth grade. We still just have a great friendship and relationship and I love her as much as I love anybody in the whole world, but we’re not romantically involved.”

Dolly and Judy’s decades-long friendship is a beautiful testament to the power of true connection—the kind that weathers every season of life with love, laughter and unwavering loyalty. From two little girls in Tennessee to a country music icon and her most trusted companion, Dolly and Judy prove that the best friendships are the ones that feel like home, no matter where life takes you.