Dolly Parton’s late husband Carl Dean’s niece takes charge of his estate after singer’s death

BRENTWOOD, TENNESSEE: Dea Chaggin Cunningham, the niece of Dolly Parton’s late husband, Carl Dean, has been appointed to administer his estate after Parton’s death on August 25 at age 80, after she was unable to finalise its business arrangements.

Dean died on March 3, 2025, at the age of 82.

Carl Dean’s niece Dea Chaggin Cunningham takes charge of his estate

Following Dean’s death at the age of 82 on March 3, 2025, Parton had been in charge of the business arrangements concerning his estate. However, the singer was unable to finalize the arrangements before her own death, amid her health issues.

According to TMZ, which reported the development on Monday after reviewing legal documents, Dean’s niece Cunningham was subsequently appointed to administer his estate.

Dean’s will reportedly stipulated that his entire estate would go to Parton if he died before her. However, the document also contained a clause outlining how his estate would be distributed if Parton died before him.

In that scenario, Dean’s estate was to be divided between his five nieces and nephews and Parton’s 14 nieces and nephews. Among those named was Parton’s nephew Bryan Seaver, who has made headlines amid a legal dispute with the singer’s business manager following her death.

Parton and Dean had been married for more than 58 years before his death. The couple exchanged vows on May 30, 1966, in Ringgold, Georgia, with Parton’s mother serving as the sole guest at their wedding ceremony.

Dolly Parton remembered Carl Dean as a private person who loved their relationship

In a November interview with People, Parton reflected on her relationship with Dean, describing their marriage as a lasting love story.

“Ours is a great old love story,” she said. “Most people don't stay that close that long. That's a loss. Nobody can ever know that unless you've experienced it yourself. He will always be in my heart and in my memories.”

Parton also remembered Dean, who ran a paving company, as someone who was very independent and preferred spending time alone. She said he “didn't really care about being with anybody but” her.

“He had a few friends, but he loved being on the farm and doing his thing. He was kind of a loner, which worked out best for us,” she told the publication. The singer also described Dean’s preference for privacy despite her decades-long superstardom, saying his “whole thing was he was famous for not being famous.”

Dean was also remembered in the speech Seaver delivered online announcing Parton’s death. Referring to the singer’s passing, he said, “Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens.”