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Carl Dean, Husband of Dolly Parton, Passes Away at 82
Carl Dean, the husband of celebrated country music star Dolly Parton, has died at the age of 82. His passing occurred in Nashville, Tennessee, as announced by Parton through a heartfelt message on her social media platforms.
In the statement, Parton reflected on their enduring relationship, stating, “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.”
The couple first met in Nashville when Parton was just 18 years old, arriving in the city to pursue her dreams of becoming a singer. Their encounter took place outside a laundromat, and Parton recalled feeling an immediate connection with Dean, noting, “I was surprised and delighted that while he talked to me, he looked at my face (a rare thing for me). He seemed to be genuinely interested in finding out who I was and what I was about.”
Two years later, on May 30, 1966, they wed in a private ceremony in Ringgold, Georgia. Throughout their nearly six-decade marriage, Dean maintained a low profile, running his asphalt-paving business away from the public eye.
Despite his preference for privacy, Dean’s influence on Parton’s music was significant, most notably with her iconic song “Jolene.” In a 2008 interview, Parton revealed that the song was inspired by a bank teller who became infatuated with Dean. She shared, “She got this terrible crush on my husband. And he just loved going to the bank because she paid him so much attention. It was kinda like a running joke between us—when I was saying, ‘Hell, you’re spending a lot of time at the bank. I don’t believe we’ve got that kind of money.’ So it’s really an innocent song all around, but sounds like a dreadful one.”
The couple’s private nature led to speculation over the years, with some suggesting that Dean was merely a figment of Parton’s imagination. In response to these rumors, Parton humorously remarked to the Associated Press in 1984, “A lot of people say there’s no Carl Dean, that he’s just somebody I made up to keep other people off me.”
Although the couple did not have children, Dean is survived by his siblings, Sandra and Donnie, as noted in Parton’s statement. His death marks a poignant moment not only for Parton but also for fans who admired their deep bond and commitment to one another.
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www.bbc.com