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From USA Today: Carl Thomas Dean, husband of country music icon Dolly Parton, has died. He was 82.
Parton shared the news on Monday in a statement posted on her official social media channels. “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together,” she wrote. “Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.” The couple married in 1966 and had no children.
A cause of death was not disclosed, although the post noted Dean died in Nashville, Tennessee, where the couple resided.
Dean, who passed away Monday, will be laid to rest in a private ceremony attended by immediate family, Parton’s statement explained.
Parton met Dean in 1964, when she was 18 years old, at a laundromat on the first day she moved to Nashville. Dean, who was 21 at the time, recalled the meeting on their 50th wedding anniversary, saying, “My first thought was ‘I’m gonna marry that girl.’ My second thought was, ‘Lord she’s good lookin.'”
“And that was the day my life began. I wouldn’t trade the last 50 years for nothing on this earth,” he added.
The couple were married on May 30, 1966. However, despite being married to the famous singer, Dean never wanted any part of the spotlight, and stayed in the background, working on their Nashville ranch and focusing on real estate deals.
Stella Parton wrote Monday evening, “On behalf of my sister Dolly, our family and Carl’s family we appreciate your prayers at this time.”
On behalf of my sister Dolly, our family and Carl’s family we appreciate your prayers at this time.
— Stella Parton (@StellaParton) March 4, 2025
View this post on Instagram
In a recent interview, Parton discussed her marriage with Dean:
JUST IN: Dolly Parton’s husband, Carl Dean, has passed away at the age of 82 after nearly 60 years of marriage.
Parton met Dean the day she moved to Nashville at 18 years old.
“I was surprised and delighted that while he talked to me, he looked at my face (a rare thing for… pic.twitter.com/6kNWJxDnSR
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 4, 2025
Dean was rarely seen in public with Parton, but she posted a “throwback” photo in September 2021, and wrote, “Find you a partner who will support you like my Carl Dean does!”
View this post on Instagram
Rest peacefully Carl Dean 🕊 #DollyParton pic.twitter.com/BSDNsOTf01
— Jen Contreras (@JSeibContreras) March 4, 2025
Dolly Parton once said Carl Dean only ever saw her perform once in over 60 years together. He loved her for her, not for the rhinestones. He’s passed away at 82, but their kind of love doesn’t die. pic.twitter.com/i1briFuYTg
— Lauren (@LaurenRock) March 4, 2025
Some sad news…
Carl Dean, Dolly Parton’s husband of 58 years, has died.
He was 82.
“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.” pic.twitter.com/8D4kpXswbK
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) March 4, 2025
BREAKING NEWS: 🚨🚨Dolly Parton’s beloved husband, Carl Dean, has died. He was 82.
“Carl and I spent many wonderful years together,” Parton said. “Words can’t do justice for the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.”
Y’all pray for Dolly. pic.twitter.com/RVby67LvMy
— toddstarnes (@toddstarnes) March 4, 2025
Heartbreaking news for a true East Tennessee legend. Please join me in praying for Dolly and her entire family during this tragic time.https://t.co/OqJcAB6BW3
— Rep. Diana Harshbarger (@RepHarshbarger) March 4, 2025
Fox Nashville posted a wedding photo and a copy of their marriage certificate.
Carl Dean, Dolly Parton’s husband of nearly 60 years, has died in Nashville. He was 82.https://t.co/JPbAbtUB6Q
Photo: Kelly Bomar pic.twitter.com/0IAsINGw5X
— FoxNashville (@FOXNashville) March 4, 2025
Carl Thomas Dean, husband of country music icon #DollyParton, has died. He was 82.https://t.co/gI9Z7u9PRJ
— USA TODAY Life (@usatodaylife) March 4, 2025
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