Meet the late Dolly Parton’s lifelong best friend and assistant, Judy Ogle

Aug 27, 2026

The late Dolly Parton (left) and her best friend, Judy Ogle, had known each other since childhood. Photo: @dollyparton/Instagram

Having known the ‘Queen of Country Music’ since childhood, Ogle founded The Dolly Archive and was even rumoured to be romantically involved with the ‘Jolene’ singer

Dolly Parton’s family, fans and public figures have expressed grief over her death at 80 on Tuesday, following a brief cancer battle. National flags across the US are flying at half mast for a week as ordered by President Donald Trump in honour of the “Queen of Country Music”.

Jane Fonda, Parton’s co-star in the 1980 film 9 to 5, shared a long tribute on Instagram on Wednesday to remember the star. “I know that millions are mourning and I want to say this – more than anyone I have ever known, Dolly will always be with us because she was so present, so powerful, so generous and playful that she is woven into all our lives and hearts forever,” her post read.

Miley Cyrus, Parton’s goddaughter, also recalled the precious moments she shared with the country music legend, adding that one of their last conversations was about music. “What I KNOW is Dolly would want me to feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong,” she wrote.

Of all those mourning the loss of the musical icon, few will feel Parton’s absence more deeply than her best friend, Judy Ogle.

How long had Dolly Parton and Judy Ogle been friends?

Dolly Parton (left) and Judy Ogle were ‘like sisters’. Photo: @thedollyarchive/Instagram

Both Tennessee natives, Parton and Ogle were childhood friends and grew up together. In a 2019 interview with The Sun, Parton revealed she and Ogle were friends for 64 years, making their friendship a seven-decade-long one at the moment of Parton’s passing.

In the same interview, the superstar said they were “like sisters” and that their opposite personalities suited each other. “She was very quiet, I was very outgoing. So we made perfect friends. We went all through school together,” Parton said.

Ogle was Parton’s assistant, too

Judy Ogle (right) began archiving Dolly Parton’s costumes and memorabilia in the 1970s. Photo: @partonnews/Instagram