Dolly Parton Wishes She'd Flirted More with Merle Haggard if She Knew He Loved Her

Dolly Parton Reveals She Would Have Flirted More with Merle Haggard if She Had Known He Was in Love with Her During their touring days together, Merle Haggard developed deep feelings for Dolly Parton. At the time, she was married and repeatedly told him she didn't share his romantic interest. Nevertheless, Haggard's infatuation persisted, occupying his thoughts extensively. When Parton learned of his affection years later, she expressed regret, wishing she had flirted more openly. Haggard once confessed that he fell profoundly for Dolly, describing her as a complex and lively individual beyond her public persona. In his autobiography, he remarked that he loved her beneath her glamorous exterior and even joked about carving 'Merle loves Dolly' on trees across the country if she had asked. He believed he was different from the many admirers attracted to her and held onto the hope that her feelings might be mutual, despite her marriage to Carl Dean. In his second autobiography, Haggard’s co-writer relayed Parton’s perspective, revealing she considered her feelings for Haggard to be purely platonic. She humorously admitted that had she known the extent of his affection, she might have ...