Dolly Parton’s husband of nearly 60 years dead

Carl Dean died on Monday at the age of 82 in Nashville after 58 years of marriage to country icon Dolly Parton, according to a statement on Parton’s social media. The post requested privacy for the family and included a brief statement from Parton herself. She spent many wonderful years with Dean and words couldn’t express the love they shared for over their 60-year relationship, she said. Dean is survived by his siblings, Sandra and Donnie, and will be laid to rest in a small private ceremony, according to the statement.

Why haven’t we heard more about Dolly Parton’s husband? Dean avoided the public eye for decades and barely ever accompanied his wife to events. During a 1984 interview, Parton laughed at public speculation that she made Dean up to keep away potential beaus. She described him as a homebody during a 2024 podcast interview, saying that he loved music but had no interest in being part of that scene. Dean swore off award shows after attending one with her in 1967, Parton said.

Dean played a key role in influencing Parton to pen her 1973 hit “Jolene.” The song was inspired after a pretty bank teller repeatedly flirted with her husband. It was a running joke how much Dean loved going to the bank because of how much attention he got from her, Parton said in a 2008 NPR interview. The situation wasn’t as serious as the song sounds, but Dean was a little embarrassed when she wrote it nonetheless, Parton said in a later interview.