Legendary Country Music Icon Dolly Parton Mourns the Loss of Her Longtime Husband, Carl Dean

A Life of Love and Devotion

Dolly Parton has been married to her husband Carl Dean for nearly 60 years, a remarkable feat in the spotlight of the entertainment industry. Tragically, Carl Dean passed away on Monday at the age of 82, leaving behind a legacy of love and devotion.

A Chance Encounter

The couple’s love story began in 1964, when Dolly Parton, then 18 years old, met Carl Dean, 21, outside the Wishy Washy Laundromat in Nashville, Tennessee. Parton recalls being surprised and delighted by Dean’s genuine interest in getting to know her.

A Simple Wedding and a Simple Life

The couple tied the knot in a simple ceremony in May 1966, with only Parton’s mother, the preacher, and his wife in attendance. Their low-key wedding was a precursor to their private life, which was free from the spotlight. Dean worked as an asphalt paver, while Parton’s music career took off, earning her the title of “queen of country music.”

A Simple Life, Free from the Spotlight

The couple enjoyed a simple life, often taking road trips in their RV and engaging in activities they both loved, such as reading, cooking, and spending time together. They never had children and preferred to keep a low profile.

Remembering Carl Dean

Parton released a statement paying tribute to her late husband, saying, “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years.” She also mentioned that Dean was her best friend, referring to his mother, Virginia “Ginny” Bates, as her own “Mama Dean.”

FAQs

* When did Carl Dean pass away?
+ Monday at the age of 82
* How long were Dolly Parton and Carl Dean married?
+ Nearly 60 years
* How did the couple meet?
+ Outside the Wishy Washy Laundromat in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1964
* What did Carl Dean do for a living?
+ He worked as an asphalt paver
* Did the couple have children?
+ No, they never had children