Carl Dean, the beloved husband of country music icon Dolly Parton, has passed away at 82, leaving behind a legacy of nearly six decades of unwavering love and devotion.
Dean, who famously shunned the spotlight despite being married to one of the world’s most celebrated musicians, died on Monday, March 3, 2025. His passing was confirmed by Dolly Parton, who took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her heartbreak.
“Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years.”
Their love story began in 1964 when Dolly, then 18, met Dean, 21, outside the Wishy Washy Laundromat in Nashville, Tennessee. Unlike most men, he was drawn to her personality rather than just her looks.
“I was surprised and delighted that while he talked to me, he looked at my face. He seemed to be genuinely interested in finding out who I was and what I was about.”
Two years later, they tied the knot in a private ceremony on May 30, 1966, with only Dolly’s mother, a preacher, and the preacher’s wife in attendance.
Despite Dolly’s meteoric rise to fame, Dean remained a quiet force behind her success, avoiding the limelight while supporting her every step of the way.
His passing marks the end of one of country music’s most enduring love stories, and tributes are already pouring in from fans and fellow musicians mourning the loss of Dolly’s greatest love.
