Carl Dean, Dolly Parton’s Husband of Nearly 60 Years, Passes Away at 82

 Carl Dean, Dolly Parton’s Husband of Nearly 60 Years, Passes Away at 82

Carl Dean, the longtime husband of country music legend Dolly Parton, has passed away at the age of 82. Married for nearly six decades, Dean remained out of the spotlight while supporting Parton’s iconic career.

Carl Dean’s Passing Confirmed

According to a statement shared on Parton’s social media, Dean died in Nashville, Tennessee, on March 3. The statement read:

"Carl Dean, husband of Dolly Parton, passed away March 3rd in Nashville at the age of 82. He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family attending. He is survived by his siblings, Sandra and Donnie."

No cause of death has been disclosed.

Parton also shared a personal tribute, saying:

"Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years."

She thanked fans for their prayers and sympathy while requesting privacy for the family.

A Private Life, A Lasting Love

Dean and Parton married on May 30, 1966, in Ringgold, Georgia. Despite his wife’s global fame, he preferred to stay out of the public eye, running an asphalt-paving business in Nashville.

Rumors about his reclusive nature led Parton to address speculation in a 1984 interview with the Associated Press:

"A lot of people say there’s no Carl Dean, that he’s just somebody I made up to keep other people off me."

The Man Who Inspired Parton’s Music

Dean was the inspiration behind several of Parton’s songs, including her 1973 hit Jolene. In a 2008 interview with NPR, she revealed the song was based on a bank teller who had a crush on her husband.

He also influenced her 2023 rock album Rockstar. Parton told Good Morning America:

"Most of these songs I chose because of Carl… because he knows good music."

The Secret to Their Lasting Marriage

Parton often credited their strong bond to independence and humor. In a 2022 interview with Good Morning America, she said:

"We’re not in each other’s face all the time… but we have the things we love to do together."

She also highlighted their shared sense of humor, saying:

"We both have a warped sense of humor… I think humor, honestly, is one of the best things when you’re married like that."

Carl Dean’s legacy lives on through the love he shared with Parton and the music he helped inspire.