Latest news with #Dolly:MyLifeandOtherUnfinishedBusiness
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dolly Parton's husband, Carl Dean, dead at 82: 'Words can't do justice'
Carl Thomas Dean, husband of country music icon Dolly Parton, has died. He was 82. Parton shared the news on Monday in a statement posted on her official social media channels. "Carl and I spent many wonderful years together," she wrote. "Words can't do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy." The couple married in 1966 and had no children. A cause of death was not disclosed, although the post noted Dean died in Nashville, Tennessee, where the couple resided. USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Parton for comment. Dean was a private man — so private that many have long wondered if he actually existed. He rarely walked a red carpet, made an appearance at a premiere or attended a show business function. But he did exist, and the deep love and respect he showed his wife was instrumental to Parton's perseverance and success throughout her career, Parton told Knox News, part of the USA TODAY Network, in 2024. "There's always that safety, that security, that strength," she said of being with Dean. "He's a good man, and we've had a good life and he's been a good husband." According to Parton's social media post Monday, Dean will be laid to rest in a private ceremony attended by immediate family. Dean never wanted to be in the spotlight. One night at an awards show in 1966 was enough to convince him that the glitz and glam was not the scene for him. After the event, Dean told his new wife, "I love you, and I will support you in your career any way I can, but I am not going to any more of these wingdings," Parton revealed in her 1994 autobiography "Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business." From then on, he stayed in the shadows to focus on his real estate dealings and tended to the couple's Nashville ranch, all while shooing away pesky reporters. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dolly Parton (@dollyparton) "He never wanted to be part of any of that, never did interviews. (He) would just run like a scalded dog. If somebody said, 'Are you Carl Dean? Can you answer a few questions?' 'No, I don't answer questions,'" Parton told Knox News while imitating Dean. 'Y'all are adorable': Dolly Parton posts rare photo with husband Carl Dean, fans react But Parton shared glimpses of her mysterious husband and their marriage throughout her career, in interviews, on social media and in her music. "Jolene," one of Parton's signature songs, is partly based on a bank teller who flirted with Dean, according to She wrote "Just Because I'm a Woman" after Dean expressed disappointment she'd been with other men before they married. Dean is featured on the cover of her 1969 album "My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy." He also was the inspiration behind other songs, including "From Here to the Moon and Back," "Forever Love," "Say Forever You'll Be Mine" and "Tomorrow is Forever." An 18-year-old Parton met Dean in 1964 on the very first day she moved to Nashville, eager to start a career in country music. She was leaving the Wishy Washy Laundromat when 21-year-old Dean waved and spoke to her. Their love story began. "My first thought was 'I'm gonna marry that girl.' My second thought was, 'Lord she's good lookin,'" Dean recalled in 2016 after the couple renewed their vows for their 50th wedding anniversary. "And that was the day my life began. I wouldn't trade the last 50 years for nothing on this earth." "If I had it to do all over, I'd do it all over again," Parton wrote in a statement for their 50th anniversary. Dolly Parton's secret to long marriage: 'We're not in each other's faces all the time' In an October 2020 interview with Entertainment Tonight, Parton revealed that distance makes the heart grow fonder when it came to her decadeslong romance with Dean. "Because I stay gone," she said jokingly. "And there's a lot of truth in that — the fact that we're not in each other's faces all the time." Contributing: Amy Haneline, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Carl Dean, Dolly Parton's husband of 60 years, dies at 82
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Carl Dean, Dolly Parton's husband of over 60 years and a man of mystery, dies at age 82
Rarely seen, Carl Dean was the man who stood by Dolly Parton's side as her partner and biggest supporter for 60 years. Parton's husband has died. He was 82. Dean died today in Nashville, Parton announced on her social media accounts. Dean was a Nashville native, born to Edgar 'Ed' Henry Dean and Virginia "Ginny" Bates Dean. The couple married in 1966 and had no children. Dean was a private man. So private that many have long wondered if he actually existed. He rarely walked a red carpet, made an appearance at a premiere or attended a show business function. But he did exist, and the deep love and respect he showed his wife was instrumental to Parton's perseverance and success throughout her career, Parton told Knox News in 2024. 'There's always that safety, that security, that strength,' she said of being with Dean. 'He's a good man, and we've had a good life and he's been a good husband.' Dean never wanted to be in the spotlight. One night at an awards show in 1966 was enough to convince him that the glitz and glam was not for him. After the event, Dean told his new wife, "I love you, and I will support you in your career any way I can, but I am not going to any more of these wingdings," Parton revealed in her 1994 autobiography, 'Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business.' From then on, he stayed in the shadows and opted to focus on his own real estate dealings and tended to the couple's Nashville ranch, all while shooing away pesky reporters. 'He never wanted to be part of any of that, never did interviews. (He) would just run like a scalded dog. If somebody said, 'Are you Carl Dean? Can you answer a few questions?' 'No, I don't answer questions,'" Parton told Knox News while imitating Dean. But Parton shared glimpses of her mysterious husband and their marriage throughout her career, in interviews, on social media and in her music. "Jolene," one of Parton's signature songs, is partly based on a bank teller who flirted with Dean, according to She wrote "Just Because I'm a Woman" after Dean expressed disappointment she'd been with other men before they married. Dean is featured on the cover of her album 'My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy' (1969). Dean also was the inspiration behind other songs, including "From Here to the Moon and Back," "Forever Love," "Say Forever You'll Be Mine" and "Tomorrow is Forever." And to honor the never-ending love and support of her husband, a special section was dedicated to him at the Dolly Parton Experience museum in Dollywood, which opened in 2024. 'He would have never before allowed me to even do that. But I didn't even tell him I'm doing it. I'm just doing it,' Parton told Knox News at the time. 'But I think he deserves his own little spot.' An 18-year-old Dolly Parton met Carl Dean in 1964 on the very first day she moved to Nashville, eager to start a career in country music. She was leaving the Wishy Washy Laundromat when 21-year-old Dean waved and spoke to her. Their love story began. "My first thought was 'I'm gonna marry that girl.' My second thought was, 'Lord she's good lookin,'" Dean recalled in 2016 after the couple renewed their vows for their 50th wedding anniversary. 'And that was the day my life began. I wouldn't trade the last 50 years for nothing on this earth." The couple began dating, but Dean soon enlisted in the military. He served in the National Guard during the Vietnam era for two years, but never went overseas. When he returned to Nashville, Parton's career was just taking off. Because her record label didn't want her married, the couple secretly wed in Ringgold, Georgia, in 1966 to keep their nuptials out of Nashville papers. The couple remained together since that chance meeting at Wishy Washy Laundromat, privately enjoying each other at home and often taking trips in their RV. "If I had it to do all over, I'd do it all over again,' Parton wrote in a statement for their 50th anniversary. Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email On X, formerly known as Twitter @dturner1208. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Dolly Parton's husband Carl Dean dies at age 82: 'We've had a good life'
USA Today
04-03-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Dolly Parton's husband, Carl Dean, dead at 82: 'Words can't do justice'
Dolly Parton's husband, Carl Dean, dead at 82: 'Words can't do justice' Show Caption Hide Caption Dolly Parton, her businesses give $2 million to Helene cleanup efforts Dolly Parton's vast charity arrived to aid Americans impacted by Hurricane Helene through a partnership with Walmart to assist with relief efforts. Carl Thomas Dean, husband of country music icon Dolly Parton, has died. He was 82. Parton shared the news on Monday in a statement posted on her official Instagram page. "Carl and I spent many wonderful years together," Parton wrote. "Words can't do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy." The couple married in 1966 and had no children. A cause of death was not disclosed, although the post noted Dean died in Nashville, Tennessee. Dean was a private man − so private that many have long wondered if he actually existed. He rarely walked a red carpet, made an appearance at a premiere or attended a show business function. But he did exist, and the deep love and respect he showed his wife was instrumental to Parton's perseverance and success throughout her career, Parton told Knox News, part of The USA TODAY Network, in 2024. "There's always that safety, that security, that strength," she said of being with Dean. "He's a good man, and we've had a good life and he's been a good husband." Dean never wanted to be in the spotlight. One night at an awards show in 1966 was enough to convince him that the glitz and glam was not the scene for him. After the event, Dean told his new wife, "I love you, and I will support you in your career any way I can, but I am not going to any more of these wingdings," Parton revealed in her 1994 autobiography, "Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business." From then on, he stayed in the shadows to focus on his real estate dealings and tended to the couple's Nashville ranch, all while shooing away pesky reporters. "He never wanted to be part of any of that, never did interviews. (He) would just run like a scalded dog. If somebody said, 'Are you Carl Dean? Can you answer a few questions?' 'No, I don't answer questions,'" Parton told Knox News while imitating Dean. But Parton shared glimpses of her mysterious husband and their marriage throughout her career, in interviews, on social media and in her music. "Jolene," one of Parton's signature songs, is partly based on a bank teller who flirted with Dean, according to She wrote "Just Because I'm a Woman" after Dean expressed disappointment she'd been with other men before they married. Dean is featured on the cover of her album 'My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy' (1969). Dean also was the inspiration behind other songs, including "From Here to the Moon and Back," "Forever Love," "Say Forever You'll Be Mine" and "Tomorrow is Forever." According to Parton's social media post Monday, Dean will be laid to rest in a private ceremony attended by immediate family.
