Carl Dean, the husband of country music legend Dolly Parton, passed away on Monday at the age of 82. Dean, who was known for his private nature, died in Nashville, Tennessee, according to a statement posted by Parton on social media.
Parton, 79, remembered her late husband fondly, 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.
The couple met outside a laundromat in Nashville on Parton’s first day in the city as an 18-year-old aspiring singer. They married two years later in a private ceremony in Ringgold, Georgia. Throughout their nearly 60-year marriage, Dean remained out of the public eye, focusing on his asphalt-paving business.
Despite his low profile, Dean inspired some of Parton’s most iconic work, including her classic hit “Jolene.” Parton revealed that the song was about a bank teller who had a crush on Dean.
The couple’s relationship was a mystery to many, with some even speculating that Dean didn’t exist. However, Parton joked about the rumors, saying, “A lot of people say there’s no Carl Dean, that he’s just somebody I made up to keep other people off me.”
Parton and Dean had no children together. He is survived by his siblings, Sandra and Donnie.
A Legacy of Love and Music
Carl Dean’s passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy will live on through the music and love he shared with Dolly Parton.
