Carl Dean, known for being the quiet husband of Dolly Parton who avoided the limelight, died a month ago on March 3rd. They were married for 58 years, a rarity in the entertainment world.
It is said that Dean hated the spotlight, and the only event Dolly got him to go to was so uncomfortable that he told her that he wanted her to do what she wanted but to never drag him to another event again! Fans knew that Dolly was married, but Dean remained elusive, staying home and letting his wife have the spotlight.
The couple met before Dolly rose to stardom, but Dean appeared to be nothing but supportive of her endeavors, even if he wished to personally be as far away as possible. He had his own business in their hometown of Nashville and continued operating it, even after Dolly had risen to stardom. According to Dolly, though, their separate lives after each having their passion and that she was away a lot helped to strengthen their relationship because it gave them the space to do what they loved.
They were both very private about their personal affairs, which is why so little about Dean and his relationship with Dolly is known. Dolly has released several songs that comment on her relationship with Dean, both the sweet and more conflicted. Her song “Jolene” for instance, which is very well-known, is said to be based on a true story of a bank clerk flirting with her husband and being upset about it.
Their marriage of over 50 years can teach everyone a lesson in relationships. Keeping your relationship private and not publicizing everything keeps it a mystery to those who do not wish to know everything. The whole world does not need to know what is happening in your relationship for you to be happy, even when one person is as famous and as well-known as Dolly.
Kathryn McElfresh
Staff Reporter
