Carl Dean, the man who stood by Dolly Parton’s side—mostly out of the spotlight but always in her heart—has passed away at the age of 82. The country music legend confirmed the heartbreaking news on social media, sharing that her husband of nearly 60 years died on Monday, March 3.
“Carl and I spent many wonderful years together,” Parton wrote. “Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.”
Dean, known for his private nature, will be laid to rest in a small ceremony attended only by immediate family, according to Parton. He is survived by his siblings, Sandra and Donnie.
Dolly Parton and Carl Dean’s love story began in the most everyday of places—a laundromat. She was just 18, he was 21, and from that moment, their bond was unshakable. They married in 1966, but despite being married to one of the most recognizable names in music, Dean chose to live life away from the cameras.
“He’s always supporting me as long as I don’t try to drag him in on it,” Parton once joked. And true to form, he rarely made public appearances, preferring to cheer on his wife from a distance.
Still, the two shared a deep connection built on mutual respect, laughter, and a shared sense of humor—something Parton often credited as the secret to their long-lasting marriage.
“He loves music, but he’s not in the music business at all, so we have different things to talk about,” she told “Entertainment Tonight” in 2023. “We have a lot of love and respect for each other… and we both have a crazy, warped sense of humor, so we have a lot of fun.”
Even after decades in the limelight, Parton and Dean kept their relationship refreshingly simple. Whether it was cooking together, taking their RV out for a trip, or having a picnic by the river, their love thrived in the little things.
“We just enjoy each other,” Parton shared in a 2024 interview. “Not necessarily a date night… we have a lot of date days.”
Dean’s passing comes just months after Parton lost her older brother, David Wilburn Parton, in November. He, too, was 82.
