"He fell in love with me before I became a star" - Dolly Parton recounts meeting late husband Carl Dean

Legendary singer-songwriter Dolly Parton took to Instagram to announce her husband, Carl Dean's, passing. The duo shared a long marriage spanning 60 years. Carl Dean passed away at the age of 82 on March 3, 2025, at his Nashville residence in Tennessee. However, the cause of death is still unknown.

The couple shared a long and healthy married life; however, they were pretty private about it. The 79-year-old Parton fondly remembered her late husband, sharing, "He fell in love with me before I became a star." The famous singer, widely known for her country music, opened up about her husband in a video posted by E! News. Dolly spoke about how Dean loved and adored her for who she was.

She further added:

"To have, you know, someone there in your corner and you know they love you for just who you are, not what you do, not what other people think you are... There's a great comfort in that, knowing that someone loves you exactly for who you are. Because he fell in love with me before I became a star".

Besides being famous for her music, Dolly Parton is an actress, businesswoman, and philanthropist. She has sold over 100 million records globally, becoming one of the best-selling musicians of all time. With a 60-year-long music career, she has released 49 studio albums. Her first music album debuted in 1967.

Parton is the recipient of numerous awards, including eleven Grammys, three American Music Awards, five Academy of Country Music Awards, and many more. Apart from being an exceptional musician, she is also a talented actress.

She made her acting debut in Collin Higgins' 1980 classic film, 9 to 5, where she played the role of Doralee Rhodes, a secretary who seeks revenge on her sexist boss. Interestingly, she not only acted but also wrote the theme song for the movie. Parton has appeared in other popular films such as The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), Rhinestone (1984), Steel Magnolias (1989), Joyful Noise (2012), and more.

Dolly Parton's relationship with late husband, Carl Dean

According to certain reports, Carl Dean was a businessman. Despite being the husband of an icon like Dolly Parton, he preferred staying out of the limelight and valued his privacy. He was also very private about his married life.

Not many people know this, but Parton and Dean first met in Nashville outside a laundromat. It was her first day in the city. She was 18 years old and just beginning her journey as a musician. The two eventually got married after two years, on May 30, 1966, in Ringgold, Georgia. They exchanged vows in an intimate, private ceremony.

Dean was busy with his asphalt-paving business, while Parton continued with her music career. However, he did influence her work. Notably, one of Parton's most famous songs, Jolene, was inspired by Dean.