S Poddar
Dolly Parton is mourning the death of her husband, Carl Dean, who died at 82. The couple, who had almost 60 years of marriage under their belt, maintained much of their relationship from the public, but their love story is still one of country music’s greatest.
The iconic singer, aged 79, posted the devastating news on Instagram, stating Dean passed away on Monday, March 3, in Nashville.
“Carl and I had many happy years together. Words simply can’t express the love Carl and I shared for more than 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and condolences,” she posted.
Dean’s funeral will be a private service, honoring the family’s desire for privacy at this time. He is survived by his brother and sister, Donnie and Sandra, who, together with Parton, have requested room to mourn in peace.
Their romance started in 1964 when Parton had recently relocated to Tennessee. The two met by the Wishy Washy laundromat in Nashville, a meeting that would define the rest of their lives. Only two years later, in 1966, they went to Georgia to take their vows, starting a marriage that would endure for almost six decades.
Reminded of the meeting, Parton once left an affectionate testament on her site in their 50th year in 2016.
“I was touched and flattered that during conversation, he studied my face (something which was not normally an occurrence with me),” she wrote. “He acted like he truly was interested in seeing who I was and what was inside.”
Unlike most high-profile celebrity couples, Parton and Dean opted to lead a private life outside the spotlight of the media. They hardly ever made public appearances together, with Dean preferring to keep a low profile. Nevertheless, Parton has frequently talked about their strong connection and the key to their enduring marriage.
“I love it when somebody tells you, ‘How did it last so long?’ I say, ‘I keep going,'” she once declared. “There’s a lot to be said about that.”
She said their differences actually made their relationship stronger. Dean was not involved in the entertainment business, which meant they could each have individual interests but still enjoy doing the things they both liked to do together.
“So we’re not in each other’s face all the time. He’s not in the business, so we have different interests, but yet we have the things we love to do together. So it was meant to be, I think. He was the one I was supposed to have and vice versa,” she explained in an ET Canada interview.
Parton also attributed their mutual sense of humor as an integral component of their long-lasting love.
“We both have a twisted sense of humor. And I believe humor, honestly, is one of the greatest things when you’re married in that way. Even if you have an issue, if you possess a sense of humor, if you say something you can’t reverse [you] typically have some wacky means of getting out of it.”
Their relationship was grounded in mutual admiration and respect, with Dean one of Parton’s greatest advocates. Though he avoided the spotlight, he was always a fan of her work.
“He adores all the songs,” she once said, going on to say that he was always quick to listen to what she was doing.”.
“And I haven’t spoken to him yet about who I’m going to have on it. I don’t even know myself, who everybody is going to be on it. But he’ll adore it. I’m doing so many of his favorite songs on the album, so I’ll take it to him when it’s finished.”
Dean also inadvertently contributed to the inspiration of one of Parton’s largest hits, “Jolene.” She once shared the tale behind the song, describing how a bank teller took a special interest in her husband.
“She got this awful crush on my husband,” Parton said in 2008 to NPR. “And he just adored going to the bank because she gave him so much attention.”
What would have otherwise been a tense moment became an inside joke for the couple.
“It was kinda like a running joke between us… So it’s really an innocent song all around, but sounds like a dreadful one,” she said.
Although they never had children of their own, Parton and Dean’s love was strong. Their almost six-decade-long marriage was a reflection of their love, based on trust, laughter, and unconditional support.
Scarce photos of Parton throughout the years have provided glimpses of their close relationship, and the public has long envied the strong connection they had. Even in his death, the romance of Dolly Parton and Carl Dean is one for the ages, a lovely testament to a union that lasted the test of time.
As she laments the passing of the man who was by her side for nearly 60 years, Parton’s sentiments reflect the extent of her love and sorrow. Even though Dean is no longer with her, the memories and legacy of their remarkable journey together will forever be etched in the hearts of people.
