KENNY ROGERS' BRAVE GOODBYE!

KENNY ROGERS soared to superstardom, but the raspy-voiced legend went to his grave crushed by heartrending regrets, close pals told The National ENQUIRER.

The beloved singer was tormented over his unrequited love for country queens Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire, choosing his career over family life — and the tragedy of not seeing his twin boys grow to manhood, insiders revealed.

Despite that, before he passed away on March 20 at age 81, Kenny realized he’d lived a full and remarkable life — and Dolly was one of the first to pay tribute to him.

“I think that I could speak for all his family, friends and fans when I say ‘I Will Always Love You,’ ” said a devastated Dolly.

Dolly sang with Kenny on the chart-topping 1983 hit “Islands in the Stream,” and the two recorded numerous duets over the years.

Their partnership was so dynamic, rumors swirled it had gone beyond professional — and Kenny hinted he was sorry it never did.

“She’s one of the sexiest women I’ve ever met!” he once gushed. “There was always tremendous electricity between us and I will always love her!”

Despite that, an insider claimed the two agreed not to pursue a romance, so they wouldn’t “destroy their friendship and their families.”

Kenny was also close to Reba — and comforted the “Fancy” singer after she lost eight band and crew members in a 1991 plane crash shortly before the two began filming the TV movie