Nashville, Tennessee – Carl Dean, the longtime husband of country music icon Dolly Parton, passed away on Monday at the age of 82. The couple, who were married for nearly six decades, shared a deeply private life, with Dean famously avoiding the spotlight despite his wife’s global fame.
In a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter), Parton paid tribute to her late husband, expressing the depth of their bond. “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years,” she wrote.
Dolly and Carl first met in 1964 outside the Wishy Washy Laundromat in Nashville, Tennessee. At the time, Parton was 18, and Dean was 21. Reflecting on their first encounter, Parton once shared, “I was surprised and delighted that while he talked to me, he looked at my face (a rare thing for me). He seemed to be genuinely interested in finding out who I was and what I was about.”
Two years after their meeting, the couple tied the knot in a modest ceremony in May 1966. The event was attended only by Parton’s mother, the officiating preacher, and his wife. Despite Parton’s rise to stardom, Dean chose to live a quiet life away from the public eye, supporting his wife’s career while maintaining a low profile.
Their enduring marriage was a testament to their strong connection and mutual respect. Parton often credited Dean for providing stability and grounding throughout her life and career. While Dean rarely appeared in public or attended events with Parton, their love story remained a cherished part of her life.
Carl Dean’s passing marks the end of an era for Dolly Parton and her fans, who have long admired the couple’s enduring partnership. As Parton mourns the loss of her beloved husband, tributes have poured in from fans and fellow artists, celebrating the love and devotion that defined their nearly 60-year marriage.