Carl Dean, the longtime husband of country music legend Dolly Parton, has passed away. Married for nearly 60 years, Dean remained largely private while supporting Parton throughout her career.
Here’s what we know so far about Carl Dean’s death.
Carl Dean cause of death explained
Carl Dean, the husband of country music icon Dolly Parton, has died at the age of 82.
A statement shared on Parton’s social media, confirmed his passing in Nashville, Tennessee, on March 3. The statement read, “Carl Dean, husband of Dolly Parton, passed away March 3rd in Nashville at the age of 82. He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family attending. He was survived by his siblings Sandra and Donnie.” No cause of death was provided.
A personal statement from Parton was also released in the same social media post. It read, “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years.” She also thanked fans for their “prayers and sympathy” and requested privacy for the family.
Married on May 30, 1966, in Ringgold, Georgia, Dean stayed out of the public eye, running an asphalt-paving business in Nashville. In 1984, Parton addressed rumors, telling the Associated Press, “A lot of people say there’s no Carl Dean, that he’s just somebody I made up to keep other people off me.”
Dean inspired Parton’s music, including Jolene. In 2008, she told NPR it was about a bank teller who had a crush on him. He also influenced her 2023 album Rockstar. She told Good Morning America, “Most of these songs I chose because of Carl… cause he knows good music.”
Parton credited their lasting marriage to independence and humor. In 2022, she told GMA, “We’re not in each other’s face all the time… but we have the things we love to do together.” She added, “We both have a warped sense of humor… I think humor, honestly, is one of the best things when you’re married like that.”
Originally reported by Vritti Johar on ComingSoon.net.
