Dolly Parton is a global superstar known for her powerful voice, infectious charm, and timeless hits like Jolene and 9 to 5. But when it comes to her personal life, the 78-year-old queen of country music has kept things remarkably private. One of the few constants fans know about is her enduring marriage to Carl Thomas Dean, her husband of nearly 60 years.
Recently, Dolly opened up about their relationship on the Dumb Blonde podcast, revealing how humour, respect, and a shared sense of fun have kept their love alive. From their secret wedding in 1966 to their quiet life on the farm today, their story is as heartwarming as it is inspiring.
Let’s dive into everything we know about Dolly’s husband, their marriage, and the love that’s stood the test of time.
Who is Dolly Parton’s husband?
Dolly Parton, the legendary queen of country music, has been married to Carl Thomas Dean for nearly six decades.
Despite Dolly’s glitzy, public life, Carl has preferred to stay out of the spotlight.
The pair tied the knot in a private ceremony in Ringgold, Georgia, on May 30, 1966, after meeting at a laundromat on Dolly’s first day in Nashville.
“My first thought was I’m gonna marry that girl,” Carl said in a statement for the couple’s 50th wedding anniversary in 2016. “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.”
While Dolly has conquered the music world, Carl has happily supported her from the sidelines, embracing a quieter life at their Tennessee home.
“He was a homebody and that worked well for us,” she told the Dumb Blonde podcast in 2024. “He loves music but is not the least bit interested in being in it.”
How many times has Dolly Parton been married?
Dolly Parton has been married just once—and she’s made it count! Her marriage to Carl Dean has lasted for 58 years and is still going strong.
According to Dolly, they’ve maintained their relationship by choosing not to argue and keeping their sense of fun alive.
Dolly recently opened up on the Dumb Blonde podcast, revealing that laughter and mutual respect are the cornerstones of their lasting relationship. “We never fought back and forth,” she said.”And I think one of the things that’s made it last so long through the years is that we love each other [and] we respect each other, but we have a lot of fun.
Instead, the couple diffuses tension with humour and avoids letting disagreements escalate. Carl’s support has also been instrumental in Dolly’s career, as he encouraged her dreams while staying happily out of the limelight.
“Anytime there’s too much tension going on, either one of us can like, find a joke about it to really break the tension, where we don’t let it go so far….We never fought back and forth. And I’m glad now that we never did, because once you start that, that becomes a lifetime thing. I’ve seen it with so many people, and I thought, ‘I ain’t ever starting that.’
“I couldn’t bear to think that he’d say something I couldn’t take… because I’m a very sensitive person toward other people and myself.”
Although Dolly has faced personal challenges, including an “affair of the heart,” her faith and love for Carl have kept them together. She’s admitted to moments of insecurity, famously writing the hit song ‘Jolene’ about a bank teller who caught Carl’s attention. But their bond has endured, strengthened by their commitment to each other.
What does Dolly Parton’s husband do for work?
Carl Thomas Dean worked in the asphalt paving business for most of his career and is now retired.
He’s a self-proclaimed homebody who enjoys maintaining their property and living a peaceful life out of the public eye. Dolly has often joked about their differing personalities—she’s the social butterfly, and he’s the quiet introvert—but it’s this balance that has kept them happy together.
How many children does Dolly Parton have?
Dolly and Carl never had children of their own, a choice that Dolly says was ultimately for the best. “Now that Carl and I are older, we often say, ‘Aren’t you glad we didn’t have kids?’” she shared with Billboard.
While she once had regrets, Dolly has embraced her role as a loving aunt and godmother, famously to Miley Cyrus, and has poured her nurturing energy into philanthropic efforts like her Imagination Library, which promotes children’s literacy.
Why has Dolly Parton stopped touring?
After decades of dazzling performances, Dolly announced she has no plans to embark on long tours anymore. Her decision stems from a desire to spend more time with Carl as they both grow older. While she still enjoys performing occasionally, she prioritizes her husband and their shared moments of simplicity, whether it’s travelling in their RV or hitting the Taco Bell drive-thru for date night.
“I don’t tour anymore, I have so many business things and my husband and I are getting older… and I need to kind of be with him and I have so many things as you can see going on anyway,” Dolly explained to Good Housekeeping.
