Dolly Parton, 79, mourns the loss of her husband, Carl Dean, who passed away at 82 on March 3, 2025, in Nashville, ending their nearly 60-year marriage.
The country music legend shared the news on Instagram, asking for privacy as family prepares a private burial. Dean’s death leaves behind his siblings, Sandra and Donnie, with no cause disclosed.
The couple’s love story began in 1964 when Parton, then 18, met Dean outside a laundromat on her first day in Nashville. Sparks flew fast, despite her initial caution, she told The New York Times in 1976.
After daily visits that week, they wed on May 30, 1966, in Georgia. Dean, a retired asphalt paver, shunned fame while Parton soared, yet he remained her rock.
A Private Love Shines Bright
Dean avoided the spotlight, seeing Parton perform live just once, she often quipped. Still, his devotion shone through. In a rare 2016 comment to Entertainment Tonight, he recalled thinking he’d marry her at first sight, struck by her beauty. Parton echoed their bond in her tribute, saying their love defied words after over six decades together.
Though childless, they nurtured Parton’s younger siblings, earning the nicknames “Aunt Granny” and “Uncle Peepaw” from nieces and nephews. In 2011, she told reporters they were proud of their first-and-last marriage, a testament to their enduring commitment.
Parton’s Heartfelt Farewell
Parton’s Instagram post struck a chord, thanking fans for support while honoring Dean’s quiet legacy. As she grieves, her words—“Words can’t do justice to the love we shared”—capture a romance that thrived away from the glare, leaving a void in her world.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Jaja’s career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including Business Times and Brigada. As a news editor, she covered a wide range of beats, including business, economy, cryptocurrency, and personal finance. Additionally, she has successfully managed teams of writers producing content on gaming, technology, and entertainment.
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