Loretta Lynn loved her husband, Oliver Vanetta “Doolittle” till his last day here on earth. For Loretta to be in the limelight all the time and have Doolittle on her side was truly a blessing; especially since these two got married at a really young age. Trust was never an option for the two of …
Lynn, addressing a fancy-free husband, sends a message of solidarity to worn-out, fed-up women everywhere, but especially to those who grew up as she did, working-class and rural.
A look at Loretta Lynn's signature fashion over the years.
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A 15-year-old coal miner's daughter, Loretta Lynn first met 21-year-old Oliver Vanetta Lynn at a pie social in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky.
Loretta Lynn loved her husband, Oliver Vanetta “Doolittle” till his last day here on earth. For Loretta to be in the limelight all the time and have Doolittle on her side was truly a blessing; especially since these two got married at a really young age. Trust was never an option for the two of …
Loretta Lynn was still a teenager when she married Oliver "Doo" Lynn on January 10, 1948. While the marriage was shaky at times, Doo remained Loretta's strongest supporter in her career. He is the one who helped her get on the path to stardom by buying her a guitar and helping book her early radio appearances. Many years and six children later, Loretta was one of the biggest stars in country music, with Doo by her side. He also served as the inspiration behind some of Lynn's fiery hits, including "Fist City" and "Don't Come Home A Drinkin'." But despite their troubles, Loretta and Doo remained married for 48 years, until Doo's death on August 22, 1996. While Doo was the subject of some of Loretta's feisty tunes, he has also been the subject of admiration in many of her interviews. Over the years, Loretta has made it clear just how much she loved and still loves Doo. We've put together a list of some of the sweetest things that Loretta said about her beloved husband and number one fan, Doo Lynn. 1. The Time She Talked About Their Wedding Since Loretta was still young when she married Doo, she got to grow up with him throughout their marriage. That in turn, allowed them to develop the strong bond that lasted for 48 years. In her memoir, Still Woman Enough, Loretta wrote about how Doo became the center of her universe from the moment she said "I do." "I married Doo when I wasn't but a child, and he was my life from that day on." 2. When She Described How He Helped Her Become A Star If it weren't for Doo, Loretta may not have gone on to become a country music star. Writing in Still Woman Enough, Loretta described exactly how great of an influence Doo had on her career. She also shared how thankful she was for him, since he never gave up on her. " thought I was something special, more special than anyone in the world, and never let me forget it... Doo was my security, my safety net." 3. The Time She Described Her First Opry Visit Like it often was during the early stages of Loretta's career, Doo was instrumental in helping her get to the Grand Ole Opry for the first time. The day before her performance, the couple spent the night in Nashville, but in a much more humbling place than a hotel. Since the Lynns were poor, they ended up sleeping in their car. Loretta recalled the story while speaking in a video interview for The Tennessean. It turns out they had parked directly across from the Opry, and despite their lack of money, Doo made sure to buy Loretta a special treat before her big show. "The first morning, we slept in the car. He parked it in front of the Grand Ole Opry, and I didn't know he'd done that. And I woke up and seen the Grand Ole Opry...we didn't have any money, but he went and got us doughnuts. And we were eating doughnuts. Ain't it funny you remember stuff like that?" 4. When She Called Him Her "Only One" If you watch enough of Loretta's interviews, you may find a commonality when she talks about Doo. Whenever someone would compliment her on her long marriage, Loretta was always quick to point out that it was also her only marriage. Loretta mentioned this during an adorable interview with Doo, Faith Hill, and Brenda Lee. During the same interview, Loretta moved Doo to tears with a sweet serenade. But it was something similar she said during an interview with NPR that perfectly captured the strength of her love for Doo. "Doo was my husband, yes. And he's the only one I've ever had." 5. When She Shared How Much She Misses Him After nearly half a century together, Loretta was understandably heartbroken when Doo passed away. It was hard for her to find her motivation, since he was always the one who pushed her to succeed. She spoke about her heartache during an interview with NPR. "I miss him so much. He kind of kept things going, like me recording. He'd always tell me how good I was, and that always helped a lot. He would say, 'You know, we need to get a new record out,' or whatever. He always kept me moving. And if it hadn't been for him, I wouldn't have been singing, period." Loretta passed away on October 4, 2022. She and Doo are reunited at last...
American country music singer and guitarist Loretta Lynn and her husband Oliver Lynn, Jr. at the Country & Western Music Awards, Hollywood, California, February 27, 1975.
In 2016, Loretta Lynn and Willie Nelson teamed up for the first time in three decades with "Lay Me Down."
American country music singer and guitarist Loretta Lynn performs on stage in California, 1972.
See the growth of Loretta Lynn's career and family over the years in photos and timeline documenting her 50-plus years in country music.
At the age of 15, Loretta Lynn married Oliver "Doo" Lynn after knowing him for just one month. They were married on January 10, 1948 and would eventually have six children together: two sons and four daughters. Doo was the main person who encouraged Loretta to pursue her music career. Long before she ever broke out into the main country music scene, she performed in locals clubs thanks to the help and support of Doo. In what has now become one of the greatest "legends" of country music, Doo was with Loretta when she came to Nashville to make her debut at the Grand Ole Opry. Since the Lynns were poor, they didn't have enough money to stay in a hotel, so they parked their car across from the Opry and slept there for the night. In the morning, Doo went out and bought the two of them some doughnuts with what little money they had. Partially thanks to Doo's support, Loretta became a major country superstar, and is now the most-awarded female country artist. Loretta and Doo's relationship was rocky at times, but the couple always managed to work through their problems, and they remained together until Doo's death in 1996. In her autobiography Still Woman Enough: A Memoir, Loretta wrote about her and Doo's relationship and the love she had for him: "I married Doo when I wasn't but a child, and he was my life from that day on. But as important as my youth and upbringing was, there's something else that made me stick to Doo. He thought I was something special, more special than anyone else in the world, and never let me forget it. That belief would be hard to shove out the door. Doo was my security, my safety net." It makes sense that one of the ways Loretta showed her love for Doo was through song. One time, Loretta sang her chart-topping song "Love Is The Foundation," to Doo while they were on a television show together. Doo was so moved by Loretta's performance that he fought back tears while she sang. Loretta also showed her love for Doo through another romantic song, "I'm All He's Got (But He's Got All Of Me." The narrator of the song says she knows her man may not be rich, but he has plenty of love to give, and that she will "be contented in his loving arms eternally." It seems pretty clear that Loretta had Doo in mind whenever she sang this song, since the two fought against all odds and remained together for almost 50 years before Doo passed away. You can listen to the song below, which is paired with some photos of Doo and Loretta throughout the years. Loretta's love for Doo was unconditional, and we're sure she misses him terribly!
"Wouldn't it be fine if you could say you love me, just one time with a sober mind?" Loretta sings in the song...
Browse In Profile: Country Singer Loretta Lynn latest photos. View images and find out more about In Profile: Country Singer Loretta Lynn at Getty Images.
Loretta Lynn, who died on Tuesday, and Oliver "Doo" Lynn married in 1948, when she was just 15 years old
Funny name, delicious biscuit! Loretta gave them this unusual name because when her husband "Doo" made them, he dropped such huge amounts for each biscuit onto the baking sheet. She said they were as big as cat's heads!:) The thing I love about these is that they only require 3 ingredients. That's almost as easy as popping open a can! They are also soft as velvet and delicious. My husband actually called them the best biscuit ever. And that's a lot coming from such a picky eater. Sorry babe! :)
Loretta Lynn poses for a portrait wearing a blue denim suit with cows in the background leaning up against a fence in circa 1972.
American country music singer and guitarist Loretta Lynn pets a horse as she stands in a fenced-off enclosure, late 1970s.
Country singer Loretta Lynn poses for a portrait in circa 1977.
Country singer Loretta Lynn poses for a portrait in 1950 in Butcher Holler, Kentucky.
Loretta Lynn holds her acoustic guitar as she poses for a portrait wearing a cowboy hat, a scarf and western shirt outside a log cabin in circa 1960.
See the growth of Loretta Lynn's career and family over the years in photos and timeline documenting her 50-plus years in country music.
Loretta Lynn recalls the female rival for her husband who inspired the hit song
Loretta Lynn loved her husband, Oliver Vanetta “Doolittle” till his last day here on earth. For Loretta to be in the limelight all the time and have Doolittle on her side was truly a blessing; especially since these two got married at a really young age. Trust was never an option for the two of …
At the age of 15, Loretta Lynn married Oliver "Doo" Lynn after knowing him for just one month. They were married on January 10, 1948 and would eventually have six children together: two sons and four daughters. Doo was the main person who encouraged Loretta to pursue her music career. Long before she ever broke out into the main country music scene, she performed in locals clubs thanks to the help and support of Doo. In what has now become one of the greatest "legends" of country music, Doo was with Loretta when she came to Nashville to make her debut at the Grand Ole Opry. Since the Lynns were poor, they didn't have enough money to stay in a hotel, so they parked their car across from the Opry and slept there for the night. In the morning, Doo went out and bought the two of them some doughnuts with what little money they had. Partially thanks to Doo's support, Loretta became a major country superstar, and is now the most-awarded female country artist. Loretta and Doo's relationship was rocky at times, but the couple always managed to work through their problems, and they remained together until Doo's death in 1996. In her autobiography Still Woman Enough: A Memoir, Loretta wrote about her and Doo's relationship and the love she had for him: "I married Doo when I wasn't but a child, and he was my life from that day on. But as important as my youth and upbringing was, there's something else that made me stick to Doo. He thought I was something special, more special than anyone else in the world, and never let me forget it. That belief would be hard to shove out the door. Doo was my security, my safety net." It makes sense that one of the ways Loretta showed her love for Doo was through song. One time, Loretta sang her chart-topping song "Love Is The Foundation," to Doo while they were on a television show together. Doo was so moved by Loretta's performance that he fought back tears while she sang. Loretta also showed her love for Doo through another romantic song, "I'm All He's Got (But He's Got All Of Me." The narrator of the song says she knows her man may not be rich, but he has plenty of love to give, and that she will "be contented in his loving arms eternally." It seems pretty clear that Loretta had Doo in mind whenever she sang this song, since the two fought against all odds and remained together for almost 50 years before Doo passed away. You can listen to the song below, which is paired with some photos of Doo and Loretta throughout the years. Loretta's love for Doo was unconditional, and we're sure she misses him terribly!
See the growth of Loretta Lynn's career and family over the years in photos and timeline documenting her 50-plus years in country music.
At the age of 15, Loretta Lynn married Oliver "Doo" Lynn after knowing him for just one month. They were married on January 10, 1948 and would eventually have six children together: two sons and four daughters. Doo was the main person who encouraged Loretta to pursue her music career. Long before she ever broke out into the main country music scene, she performed in locals clubs thanks to the help and support of Doo. In what has now become one of the greatest "legends" of country music, Doo was with Loretta when she came to Nashville to make her debut at the Grand Ole Opry. Since the Lynns were poor, they didn't have enough money to stay in a hotel, so they parked their car across from the Opry and slept there for the night. In the morning, Doo went out and bought the two of them some doughnuts with what little money they had. Partially thanks to Doo's support, Loretta became a major country superstar, and is now the most-awarded female country artist. Loretta and Doo's relationship was rocky at times, but the couple always managed to work through their problems, and they remained together until Doo's death in 1996. In her autobiography Still Woman Enough: A Memoir, Loretta wrote about her and Doo's relationship and the love she had for him: "I married Doo when I wasn't but a child, and he was my life from that day on. But as important as my youth and upbringing was, there's something else that made me stick to Doo. He thought I was something special, more special than anyone else in the world, and never let me forget it. That belief would be hard to shove out the door. Doo was my security, my safety net." It makes sense that one of the ways Loretta showed her love for Doo was through song. One time, Loretta sang her chart-topping song "Love Is The Foundation," to Doo while they were on a television show together. Doo was so moved by Loretta's performance that he fought back tears while she sang. Loretta also showed her love for Doo through another romantic song, "I'm All He's Got (But He's Got All Of Me." The narrator of the song says she knows her man may not be rich, but he has plenty of love to give, and that she will "be contented in his loving arms eternally." It seems pretty clear that Loretta had Doo in mind whenever she sang this song, since the two fought against all odds and remained together for almost 50 years before Doo passed away. You can listen to the song below, which is paired with some photos of Doo and Loretta throughout the years. Loretta's love for Doo was unconditional, and we're sure she misses him terribly!
See the growth of Loretta Lynn's career and family over the years in photos and timeline documenting her 50-plus years in country music.
