Fans of the legendary Dolly Parton were shocked and saddened this week to learn of the death of her longtime husband.
According to the Associated Press, Carl Dean, Dolly Parton's husband of 60 years, has died. He was 82.
Dean was known for avoiding the constant spotlight and was also known as the inspiration for one of his wife's biggest and most successful hit songs, "Jolene."
No cause of death has been revealed at this time, and Dolly Parton requested privacy so that she and her family could grieve the profound loss.
Dolly Parton met Dean when she first moved to Nashville at age 18. The two met at the Wishy Washy Laundromat, where Parton said he expressed genuine interest in her."
"I was surprised and delighted that while he talked to me, he looked at my face (a rare thing for me)," Parton described the meeting with Dean. "He seemed to be genuinely interested in finding out who I was and what I was about."
Only two years later, the two married in Ringgold, Georgia. The wedding was held on Memorial Day.
JUST IN: Dolly Parton's husband, Carl Dean, has passed away at the age of 82 after nearly 60 years of marriage.
Parton met Dean the day she moved to Nashville at 18 years old.
"I was surprised and delighted that while he talked to me, he looked at my face (a rare thing for… pic.twitter.com/6kNWJxDnSR
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 4, 2025
The Associated Press noted:
Dean was a businessman, having owned an asphalt-paving business in Nashville. His parents, Virginia “Ginny” Bates Dean and Edgar “Ed” Henry Dean, had three children. Parton referred to his mother as “Mama Dean.”
For her part, Dolly Parton released a statement on her husband's passing.
"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," she said.
Parton's fans across social media offered their condolences and paid their respects.
"Heartbreaking news. Carl Dean was Dolly’s rock for over 60 years—a love story like no other. Prayers for Dolly and her family during this difficult time," one X user wrote.
Another X user wrote, "60 years. God bless both of them. We should all be so lucky to have such a long and enduring love."
