Beyond Belief How Dolly's Marriage Survived

The Singer Opens Up on Her Steely Faith and Darkest Days.
 

- Ron Kelly

Even though Dolly Parton’s beloved Smoky Mountains were devastated by deadly wildfires in 2016, she knew the “mountain strong” people affected by the natural disaster would rise again.

“Everybody’s got that spiritual background,” she says of the locals who live in the same area where she spent her humble early years. “I think that good neighbours and faith and trust in God − and in one another − help everyone pull together as a team. You’ve got to pull together as a community, as a family. That’s the only way you can keep going.”

Her strong faith is what has helped the country legend (72) get through some of the toughest struggles of her life.

“I hurt like everybody else. I’m not always happy,” admits Dolly. She’s faced several hurdles and heartaches throughout the years, including a family tragedy when she was growing up in the poverty-stricken Appalachian hills, a career-halting medical condition in the ’80s and a marriage crisis with husband Carl Dean (76) that made her consider taking her own life.

“A belief in God is essential,” Dolly adds of how her daily prayers and trust in God have helped her through every crisis.

Finding her way

Dolly, the fourth of Robert and Avie Parton’s 12 children, was surrounded by religion from an early age.