Dolly Parton Mourns Loss of Husband Carl Dean

Dolly Parton’s husband of 58 years, Carl Dean, passed away on March 3, 2025, at age 82. Known for his private nature, Dean had been battling Alzheimer’s since 2019. Parton shared the heartbreaking news publicly, saying a private ceremony would be held for family. Their love story began in 1964 at a laundromat in Nashville, leading to a quiet wedding two years later.

A Quiet Life Together

Though Parton became a global icon, Dean preferred a life out of the spotlight. “He’s a country boy. He likes the privacy, and he would never in a million years do an interview,” she once said. He supported her career from the sidelines while working as an asphalt contractor. Despite her busy schedule, Parton always made time for Dean, stepping away from touring in 2016 to stay closer to home.

Life, Love, and Lasting Commitment

The couple never had children but shared a deep bond. They often traveled the U.S. together in their RV, enjoying simple moments. As Dean’s health declined, Parton adjusted her life to care for him. “I’ve done that my whole life, and it takes so much time and energy,” she once said about stepping back from the stage. Holidays, especially Christmas, became their treasured time, filled with decorations, music, and quiet joy.

Honoring His Memory

In his final years, Dean remained the center of Parton’s world. She found comfort in music, faith, and home life, even recording a rock album to honor his love for the genre. “It was amazing,” she once said of past Christmases, though recent holidays were spent quietly by his side. Carl Dean is survived by Parton and his two siblings, and his memory will continue to live on through her love and music.