The couple wed in 1966 but Dean avoided the spotlight
Dolly Parton (right) and Carl Thomas Dean in the mid 80s. Photo:Dolly Parton/Instagram
Carl Thomas Dean, Dolly Partons ultra-private husband, has died at the age of 82.
Dean married the country legend in 1966 but eschewed the spotlight. He never attended public events with his wife, and the singer shared only a handful of photos of him over the years.
Parton shared the news of her longtime spouses death via Instagram on Monday, March 3.
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 post read.
Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words cant do justice t the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy, Partons post continued. The family asks for privacy during this difficult time.
Dean was born in Nashville, Tenn., in 1942. He was one of three children born to Virginia Ginny Bates Dean and Edgar Ed Henry Dean. Parton shared in her 1994 book Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business that Dean was close to his grandmother Minnie Bates,
Not much is known of his life before he met Parton in 1964 outside a laundromat. She was 18 and was staying with her Uncle Bill, having just moved to Nashville to pursue her music career.
Id come to Nashville with dirty clothes, she told The New York Times in 1976. I was in such a hurry to get here. And after Id 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.
She continued, I wouldnt 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, Youre welcome to come up to the house tomorrow because Im 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 Parton (left) and Carl Thomas Dean. Dolly Parton Instagram
My first thought was Im gonna marry that girl, Dean told Entertainment Tonight in 2016 in a rare public statement. My second thought was, Lord shes good lookin. And that was the day my life began. I wouldnt trade the last 50 years for nothing on this earth.
I hadnt intended to marry, she told the Times. I hadnt intended to find anybody, but you know how love goes. And he understood that I had to do what I had come to Nashville to do.
They married in Ringgold, Ga., in 1966. Their only witnesses were her mother, the pastor and his wife. We thought Ringgold because we knew that was where you could get your license and get married the same day, she told a local news station in Chattanooga, Tenn., in 2012. Parton told PEOPLE in 2012 of their wedding, It was the first marriage for both of us. And the last.
Partons star began to rise in the late 1960s, and while Dean supported her, he stayed far in the background and focused on his asphalt business. Hes sort of shy and quiet, she told PEOPLE in a 1977 cover story. She was happy to keep their relationship separate from her work life. What we have together is so sweet and good that Id never want it to get jumbled up with the other.
Still, Dean inspired one of her most iconic songs: Jolene. But the real Jolene didnt try to take Dean; she was just flirtatious with him when she helped him at the bank. She got this terrible crush on my husband, Parton told NPR in 2008. And he just loved going to the bank because she paid him so much attention. It was kinda like a running joke between us when I was saying, Hell, youre spending a lot of time at the bank. I dont believe weve got that kind of money. So its really an innocent song all around, but sounds like a dreadful one. The name Jolene came from a fan.
Partons image in the 80s was very sexy, but she said that never bothered Dean. Hes not jealous, and Im not either, she told PEOPLE in 1981. Carl is the one man in my life. I would love to grow old with him. If he should die first, I may never marry again. My love is that deep.
Dean stayed primarily at their large home in Tara, outside of Nashville. One of his passions was buying and reselling trucks and tractors. He likes his freedom, Parton told PEOPLE in 1982. If I call him, thats fine, he aint expectin it. He doesnt like me home for long because it interferes with his tradin. So we never really have any hold on each other. And yet we have the ultimate hold.
In 1986, Partons Dollywood theme park opened, and while many of Partons friends and family were featured in the park, Deans likeness was not, at his request. She told PEOPLE in 1986, Carl said, I want to go up there anytime I want, and I dont want somebody coming out of the museum and telling me, Youre Carl. Parton did share occasional photos of her husband on social media.
They say that opposites attract, and its true, Parton explained to PEOPLE in 2015. Were completely opposite, but thats what makes it fun. I never know what hes gonna say or do. Hes always surprising me.
My husband is a good man, first of all, she said. Hes a deep person, but he has a great and warped sense of humor. He makes me laugh and entertains me. Hes very secure within himself. In 2016, Parton and Dean renewed their wedding vows.
I always joke and laugh when people ask me whats the key to my long marriage and lasting love, she told PEOPLE in 2018. I always say Stay gone! and theres a lot of truth to that. I travel a lot, but we really enjoy each other when were together and the little things we do.
Our life is simple but easy. We dont even have that much company at home. We just like to be together, she said. They often took mini-road trips in her RV or had small picnics near their house.
Speaking to PEOPLE in 2021, Parton reflected on their decades together. My husband and I, weve been together 56 years. Weve just been married 54 years this past May. But we still have our little times, like in the springtime when the first yellow daffodils come out. Even if theres still some snow around it, my husband always brings me a bouquet. And hell usually write me a little poem. Which to me, thats priceless.
Hes always supporting me as long as I dont try to drag him in on it, she told PEOPLE in 2019. Hes always been my biggest fan behind the scenes, but hes at home.
Dean is survived by his wife and siblings.
