- Dolly Parton and her husband, Carl Dean, have enjoyed 58 years of marriage.
- Parton only has positive things to say about her husband, who doesn’t like being in the spotlight.
- The country singer and Dean cherish each other and enjoy doing “little things” in their home with a farm.
Dolly Parton and her husband, Carl Dean, have been married for 58 years. The two tied the knot on May 30, 1966, at a private ceremony in Ringgold, Georgia. The couple made a decision not to have kids in their marriage.
Throughout their 50-plus years of marriage, Dean has been spotted in public only a couple of times as he has stayed away from the public eye. Parton once said that the secret to her long marriage has been keeping her career and relationship separate.
Parton and Dean’s love story started in 1964 when the country singer had just moved to Nashville to pursue her singing and songwriting career.
The legendary singer and her husband met at a laundromat. The handsome 22-year-old man and the gorgeous 18-year-old lady fell in love and have never parted ways.
When the couple hit 51 years in marriage, Parton revealed the secret to their successful union. She said she does her best to leave her husband out of her business, keeping her marriage personal and sacred.
Parton added that this move wasn’t her husband’s choice but hers because she loves him too much to expose him to the industry.
Parton also once responded to accusations that her husband was imaginary. She said many people assume he doesn’t exist because he isn’t in the spotlight.
The singer described her husband as a quiet and reserved person who would never get a minute of peace if he chose to expose himself to the industry.
The superstar said that while Carl Dean chose to love her, he didn’t choose to be in the entertainment industry. Out of respect for her husband, Parton decided to keep him out of the limelight as much as she could. Parton described this choice as keeping their lives together and separate.
The 77-year-old also joked that she tells people the reason her marriage to Dean has lasted is because she is mostly out of the house.
She said the fact that they aren’t in each other’s face all the time has enhanced their marriage. The couple also share a great sense of humor, have lots of fun together, and have respect and admiration for each other.
Parton only has positive things to say about her husband. She is proud to have married a good man who understands her and isn’t jealous of her.
Dean isn’t resentful of Parton’s career and fame, as he likes to hear about what she does. Parton realized that she’d never find these qualities in anybody else. So, she and her husband hold on to each other and love one another deeply.
A source close to Parton and Dean revealed that the couple are in their marriage for the long haul. The insider added that the two are perfect for each other as they get one another and have similar personalities.
Parton and Dean are a team that adore each other, are committed to one another, and the singer knows she will always be there for her husband.
The “Wildflowers” singer opened up on the life her husband enjoys out of the public eye. She revealed that the two engage in numerous activities on their farm, where she also spends most of her time after having quit going on music tours.
Carl Dean’s house photographed on February 16, 1996 | Source: Getty Images
Dean was never a fan of fame. He lives on a sprawling farm with Parton, having retired from his paving firm. The country singer said her husband is happy away from the public and taking care of their farm. Dean keeps the fields mowed and the barn painted and works on his farm equipment.
Dolly Parton’s home taken on July 17, 2018 | Source: Youtube.com/@ReeseWitherspoon
The “Steel Magnolias” actress is happiest when she spends time with her husband at their home, where she said they do “little things together.” like travel around town in their little RV.
Parton and Dean go past drive-through restaurants; they sight-see in Tennessee and Kentucky and stay over at motels with clean beds and bathrooms. “That’s how we live,” she confessed.
Dolly Parton speaks with Reese Witherspoon at her home on July 17, 2018 | Source: Youtube.com/@ReeseWitherspoon
Despite having a reported net worth of $500 million, Parton just loves chilling at home with her husband, who doesn’t care about being around anyone else but her. According to a source, the couple spent their 55th wedding anniversary at their home in Nashville, enjoying a nice and simple country dinner.
The insider said Parton and her husband didn’t do anything extravagant. They ate chicken and dumplings that Parton prepared, and for dessert, they had pecan ice cream, which is Dean’s favorite. The couple had a perfect night at their gazebo.
The couple had previously revealed that they had plans to renew their wedding vows on their 50th anniversary, The country singer said family and close friends would probably attend, and then the couple would go on a honeymoon where they went the first time they got married.
The “Hello God” singer is now settled at home with her husband. Parton said she doesn’t think she will go on a full-blown music tour ever again. She understands the energy and time such a tour requires, so she just now wants to stay close to home with her husband.
Parton said she and Dean were getting old, and she would not feel right if she went away for five or six weeks and then something happened at home, and someone needed her.
The singer doesn’t want to disappoint her fans too if she has to leave a tour because someone at home got sick. However, Parton will still do a few shows at a festival or a long weekend of shows.
Dean and Parton have shown their love and commitment to each other for more than half a century. The two still want to be close to one another even in their old age and strive to keep their love alive.
Dolly Parton confessed that she and her husband love each other madly and that their shared humor has kept them together for years.