Dolly Parton’s husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, has died at the age of 82. The news was shared in a statement on Parton’s social media accounts Monday.
“Carl Dean, husband of Dolly Parton, passed away March 3rd in Nashville at the age of 82,” the statement read. “He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family attending. He was survived by his siblings Sandra and Donnie,” according to GMA.
Parton shared heartfelt words about her late husband, saying, “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years.” She thanked fans for their support, adding, “Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.”
The couple, who married in 1966, maintained a notably private relationship throughout Parton’s illustrious career. Dean rarely appeared in public, preferring to stay out of the spotlight. However, Parton often spoke about their deep bond and the positive influence Dean had on her life.
Dean’s love of rock ‘n’ roll music inspired Parton’s 2023 album, “Rockstar.” She told GMA, “Most of these songs I chose because of Carl, and because I knew they were good songs, ’cause he knows good music.”
In 2022, Parton revealed the secret to their lasting marriage, attributing their longevity to having different interests while still enjoying special moments together. “I like it when people say, ‘How did it last so long?’ I say, ‘It’s stay going,'” she told GMA. “We’re not in each other’s face all the time. He’s not in the business so we have different interests, but yet we have the things we love to do together.”
Parton also highlighted their shared sense of humor as a key factor. “We both have a warped sense of humor,” she said. “Even if you have a problem, if you have a great sense of humor, if you say something you can’t take back [you] usually have some crazy way of getting out of it.”
The statement concluded by asking for privacy during this difficult time.
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