Country Music Legend Dolly Parton Mourns the Loss of Husband Carl Dean at 82

Carl Dean, who cherished a rare private life, died in Nashville, Tennessee, at 82. Dolly Parton shared heartfelt memories from their 60-year marriage, highlighting the profound bond they shared.

Dolly Parton is mourning the loss of her husband, Carl Dean, who passed away on Monday at the age of 82. Known for his reclusive nature, Dean's death was confirmed in a touching statement made by Parton on her social media platforms. “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can't do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy,” she wrote.

The couple's love story began on Parton’s first day in Nashville when she met Dean outside a laundromat at just 18 years old. In recalling that day, Parton fondly noted, “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.” Their romance blossomed, and they were married two years later on May 30, 1966, in Ringgold, Georgia.

Throughout their nearly six-decade marriage, Dean preferred to stay clear of the celebrity spotlight, opting instead to focus on his successful asphalt-paving business in Nashville. Nonetheless, he greatly influenced Parton’s music, notably inspiring her iconic song "Jolene." Parton explained how the song was inspired by a bank teller who had developed a significant crush on Dean, leading to a lighthearted and enduring joke between the couple.

Despite his low-profile life, Carl Dean's existence was so enigmatic that rumors sometimes circulated suggesting he wasn't real. Parton humorously addressed these claims, stating, "A lot of people say there's no Carl Dean, that he's just somebody I made up to keep other people off me."

Together, the couple remained childless, and Dean is survived by his siblings, Sandra and Donnie, as mentioned in Parton’s heartfelt tribute. Through this loss, Dolly Parton cherishes their shared memories and the love they cultivated throughout their remarkable journey together.