Dolly Parton discovered the love of her life in late husband Carl Thomas Dean. The two fell in love and obtained married in 1966. And though the “Jolene” hitmaker is among the most well-known names in music, Carl made positive to keep away from the highlight. Nevertheless, they loved a loving relationship for many years till his loss of life in March 2025. The information shocked followers, as many didn’t know a lot about Carl, his marriage to Dolly or whether or not or not they shared kids collectively.
As seen in an announcement on Dolly’s Instagram, she stated, “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 assertion additionally indicated that Carl died in Nashville, and no reason for loss of life was offered.
Learn extra about Dolly and Carl’s life collectively, marriage and household under.
How Did Dolly Parton & Husband Carl Dean Meet?
Dolly met Carl when she moved to Nashville at simply 18 years outdated outdoors of a Wishy Washy Laundromat, in keeping with the Associated Press. Per the outlet, the nation music tremendous star recalled feeling “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.”
What Was Carl Dean’s Job?
Carl was a businessman and owned an asphalt-paving enterprise in Nashville. He ultimately retired from his work whereas dwelling a low-key way of life with Dolly.
Carl Dean & Dolly Parton’s Ages
Carl died on the age of 82, and Dolly is at present 79 years outdated.
Do Dolly Parton & Carl Dean Have Kids?
No, Dolly doesn’t share kids along with her late husband, Carl. The “9 to 5” songstress has opened up about not having kids in a number of interviews all through her profession. While talking with Saga Exceptional in 2023, Dolly recalled pondering that she and Carl have been going to have youngsters once they first fell in love.
“When you’re a young couple, you think you’re going to have kids, but it just wasn’t one of those burning things for me,” she defined. “I had my career and my music and I was traveling. If I’d had kids, I’d have stayed home with them, I’m sure, and worried myself to death about them. With everything that’s going on, I’d hate to be bringing a child into this world right now.”
During a earlier interview with Billboard, Dolly defined why she didn’t remorse not having her personal kids with Carl.
“I used to think I should regret it,” Dolly famous within the 2014 interview. “Early on, when my husband and I were dating, and then when we got married, we just assumed we would have kids. We weren’t doing anything to stop it. In fact, we thought maybe we would. We even had names if we did, but it didn’t turn out that way. Now I say, ‘God didn’t mean for me to have kids so everybody’s kids could be mine.’ I’m very close to my family — five of my younger brothers and sisters lived with me and Carl for many years — and we’re very close to our nieces and nephews. Now that Carl and I are older, we often say, “Aren’t you glad we didn’t have kids? Now we don’t have kids to worry about.’”
Carl Dean Inspired Dolly Parton’s Song ‘Jolene’
Behind the long-lasting lyrics of “Jolene” is a narrative, however it’s not as dramatic as followers would possibly assume. During a 2008 interview with NPR, Dolly revealed that she was impressed to jot down the music a few financial institution teller who appeared to have a crush on Carl.
“She got this terrible crush on my husband,” Dolly claimed. “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, you’re spending a lot of time at the bank. I don’t believe we’ve got that kind of money.’ So it’s really an innocent song all around, but sounds like a dreadful one.”