Carl Dean, the devoted husband of country music icon Dolly Parton for nearly 60 years, has passed away at the age of 82, The Associated Press reports.
Dean, known for his steadfast support of Parton and his preference for a life outside the spotlight, died on Monday in Nashville, Tennessee.
A statement released by Parton’s publicist confirmed Dean’s passing and indicated that a private ceremony with immediate family will be held. No cause of death was announced.
“Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy,” Parton shared in a heartfelt statement.
The family has respectfully requested privacy during this time.
Dean’s influence on Parton’s life and career is undeniable. Famously, he inspired her timeless hit “Jolene.” The couple’s love story began the day Parton moved to Nashville at the age of 18, when they met outside the Wishy Washy Laundromat.
Two years later, on Memorial Day, May 30, 1966, Parton and Dean exchanged vows in a small, intimate ceremony in Ringgold, Georgia.
Dean, a successful businessman in his own right, owned an asphalt-paving company in Nashville. He was the son of Virginia “Ginny” Bates Dean and Edgar “Ed” Henry Dean. Parton often spoke fondly of his mother, affectionately referring to her as “Mama Dean.”
Dean is survived by his beloved wife, Dolly Parton, and his two siblings, Sandra and Donnie.
Throughout their decades-long marriage, Parton and Dean maintained a remarkable level of privacy, shielding their relationship from the intense glare of fame.
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