Dolly Parton keeps 'sacred' love life away from the spotlight

Dolly Parton's marriage is too "sacred" to put in the spotlight.

The iconic country star has been married to Carl Thomas Dean for just over 50 years now, but her husband never accompanies her in public and their union is very much kept under wraps.

Fans are given a glimpse into her love life through her music though, and can expect more love songs in her new album, titled Pure & Simple, due out later this month (Aug16).

But that's not to say Dolly's going to start sharing more intimate details involving Carl.

"My husband is not one who wants to be just thrown out there. He's very private, and I've always respected that for him and about him. And so, we just try to live our lives," she told Vogue.com, adding she tries to share as much of her life as she can. "I'm not holding back any information, but there are just some things that are sacred and private."

"I do think that's had a lot to do with it," she continued of how keeping her marriage out of the limelight has helped it last for so long. "If we had fallen victim to every tabloid story and all that - we just try to find the humour in it."

Dolly never changes her persona for when she's in and out of the spotlight though; she simply amps things up when out in public, then embraces her quiet side during her downtime, insisting she can go a whole day without saying a word.

The 70-year-old musician is inspired by all sorts of things when it comes to songwriting and finds it easiest to pen tracks while on the road. Asked what makes her so appealing to the masses, Dolly says she thinks it's her "God spark".

"I remember believing in my childhood that through God all things are possible," she added. "I'm not a religious person. I'm not a religious fanatic. I'm a sinner like everybody else. But I do believe that there is something greater. I try to find the good."