Carl Dean, Dolly Parton’s husband of nearly 60 years, dies at 82 as singer recalls 'the love we shared'

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: Country music legend Dolly Parton, 79, is mourning the loss of her beloved husband, Carl Dean, who died at 82 on Monday, March 3. 

Married for nearly six decades, Parton shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram, reflecting on their "wonderful years together" while requesting privacy during this difficult time. The cause of Dean’s death has not yet been disclosed.

Dolly Parton confirms death of her husband Carl Dean

In an Instagram post, Dolly Parton shared the heartbreaking news of her husband Carl Dean's death. The post began, “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.”

The iconic singer, known for her hit song 'I Will Always Love You', also reflected on their decades of love together. She continued, “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. The family asks for privacy during this difficult time.”

Carl Dean was born in 1942 in Nashville to Virginia 'Ginny' Bates Dean and Edgar 'Ed' Henry Dean. Before meeting Parton, little was known about his life.

The couple’s story began when Parton met Carl at a Wishy Washy Laundromat when she was 18. Parton recalled the moment fondly, saying, "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," as per the New York Post.

Dean, who maintained a low profile, once shared his thoughts on meeting Dolly when she was 18, writing on her official website, "My first thought was I’m gonna marry that girl. My second thought was, 'Lord she’s good lookin.' And that was the day my life began."

Dolly and Carl officially tied the knot on May 30, 1966, and would have celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary on May 30.

Dolly Parton and her husband Carl Dean recall their first meeting

Dolly Parton, who kept her marriage to Carl Dean—an asphalt paving business owner—mostly private, rarely spoke about their relationship in public.

However, in a 1976 interview with The New York Times, she recalled their first meeting: "I’d come to Nashville with dirty clothes. I was in such a hurry to get here. And after I’d put my clothes in the machine, I started walkin’ down the street, just lookin’ at my new home, and this guy hollered at me, and I waved. Bein’ from the country, I spoke to everybody. And he came over and, well, it was Carl, my husband."

Reflecting on their early days of courtship, Dolly shared, "I wouldn’t go out with him. I mean, that was somethin’ we was taught. You gotta know somebody or they may take you on a back road and kill you. But I said, ‘You’re welcome to come up to the house tomorrow because I’m babysittin’ my little nephew. Dean came over every day that week, and the first time they went out together, he took her to meet his parents." 

Dolly also joked that some people doubted Carl's existence due to his reclusive nature, saying in 1984, "A lot of people say there’s no Carl Dean, that he’s just somebody I made up to keep other people off me. so that people could at least know that I’m not married to a wart or something."

In a rare 2016 interview with Entertainment Tonight, Dean shared his thoughts on meeting Dolly: "My first thought was I’m gonna marry that girl. My second thought was, Lord she’s good looking.” And that was the day my life began. I wouldn’t trade the last 50 years for nothing on this earth."

Despite staying out of the public eye, Carl Dean inspired one of Dolly's most iconic songs, 'Jolene'. Parton revealed that the "real" Jolene wasn’t trying to steal her man but had been flirtatious with him at a bank.

Although Dolly and Carl never had children, she later reflected on her decision. “I would have been a great mother, I think. I would probably have given up everything else. Because I would’ve felt guilty about that, if I’d have left them [to work, to tour]. Everything would have changed. I probably wouldn’t have been a star,” she told The Guardian.

Dolly Parton's fans send condolences for loss of her husband

Within just three hours of Dolly Parton sharing the news of Carl Dean's death on Instagram, the post received over 678K likes and an outpouring of condolences from fans.

One user shared, "So sorry for your loss Dolly. Sending you love and strength ❤️."

A second person wrote, "Oh Dolly, my heart goes out to you and yours, my deepest sympathies."

Another commented, "I am so so sorry for your loss Dolly. I’m glad you’ve got to have so many wonderful years with him and I’m sorry you couldn’t have more." 

A fourth user added, "Dear Dolly! I’m sending you my blessings. It was such an honor to have worked with you in your movie Mountain Magic Christmas. May Carl rest in peace. Lots of love ❤️"

A social media user said, "I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for you, Dolly! 🩵"

Another person added, "What a long and beautiful relationship yall had. Sending you and your family lots of love Ms. Dolly. 💝"

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