Inside Dolly Parton's Ultra-Private Romance With Husband Carl Dean

As I delve into the captivating tale of Dolly Parton, a woman whose life has been as colorful and enchanting as her iconic sequined costumes, I find myself utterly spellbound by her extraordinary journey. Born into a large, loving family that served as her own brood, she found herself in a unique position to nurture the dreams of others rather than raising her own offspring.

Dolly Parton consistently embodies her career, humor, style, philanthropy, and all aspects commonly linked to her, a beloved entertainer whose charm transcends boundaries.

Despite her songs often evoking tears from legions of fans as they resonate with the emotional ups and downs of love, her personal romance has been a tranquil tale unfolding privately. This peaceful narrative has taken place within the expansive Brentwood, Tenn., estate that she and husband Carl Dean have shared since 1999. Notably, Carl prefers to remain at their home while Dolly Parton embarks on her tours.

Our strategy has been successful for us because we each have distinct roles, and it’s thrilling when we reunite at home,” Parton explained to TopMob News in May, discussing her 58-year marriage. “So the fact that there’s a bit of distance that adds excitement upon return.

Given their frequent separations, with Dean being more of a homebody and Dolly Parton still a bustling platinum-selling artist at 78 (nominated for Female Artist and Social Country Star in the 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards coming up on September 26), they always have much to discuss whenever they meet again.

According to Parton, he has a fondness for music, yet he’s not involved in the music industry. This makes our conversations diverse, encompassing his realm and mine. We complement each other exceptionally well. There’s a great deal of affection and respect between us, and I believe the secret lies in our shared, eccentric, humorous outlook on life—we enjoy each other’s company immensely.

Even though Dean has largely stayed out of the spotlight for over half a century, except perhaps when he attended his wife’s performances at local events like county fairs – his favorite kinds of venues – this absence doesn’t necessarily indicate any issues in their relationship or marriage (like what one might expect in paradise or Dollywood).

Quite the opposite, in fact.

In 2019, Parton shared with People that he consistently encourages her, provided she doesn’t involve him in what she’s doing. She described him as her most ardent supporter working from behind the curtains.

And Dean has been in her corner since day one, literally.

Keep reading for the whole story…

After leaving behind two former boyfriends in her small town of Sevierville, Tennessee, Dolly Parton had no intentions of pursuing a new romance as she moved to Nashville in 1964, shortly after finishing high school.

Ah, it was on the very street she walked towards the laundromat upon her arrival in Music City that she encountered Carl Dean.

According to Parton’s recollection, Dean was passing by in a white Chevrolet when he shouted, “You’re going to get sunburned out here, young lady!” from his vehicle.

She mentioned in her 2020 book Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics, that they began conversing, and I found myself drawn to him, while he felt the same about me. In another conversation, the petite artist (she was only 18 when they first met), remembered how tanned Dean appeared as he stood tall at 6-foot-2 compared to her 5-foot stature. Since he ran an asphalt paving business with his father, the 22-year-old had a sun-kissed complexion from working outside.

She didn’t immediately jump into his car, but instead made it clear she needed to be cautious, as suggested in Stephen Miller’s 2011 biography titled “Smart Blonde”. Dolly Parton warned him about potential danger on back roads. Despite this, she invited Dean to visit her at her aunt and uncle’s house the following day. He accepted the invitation, although they only sat together outside. For a full week afterward, he visited daily, and when they went out for their first date, he first took her to his parents’ home, according to Parton, because he felt certain from their very first encounter that she was the one he wanted.

However, as she began to establish herself as a songwriter and often worked with her uncle Bill Owens at Combine Music, her supervisor Fred Foster cautioned against her marriage plans. He felt it could be detrimental since she was on the brink of achieving significant success as a singer.

Instead of postponing their big wedding day, she and Dean decided to elope on May 30, 1966, in Ringgold, Ga. Avie Lee Parton, the bride’s mother, was the only one present at their small ceremony, acting as both witness and photographer for the special occasion.

For over a year, they managed to keep their marital status hidden from Foster. It wasn’t until someone in the music industry, noticing Parton’s rising fame, remarked, “Aren’t you happy now that you didn’t tie the knot?” implying that he was unaware of their marriage.

Dolly Parton, known for singing “Jolene,” clarified that although her passport lists her as Dolly Parton Dean, she chose not to alter her professional name since she had an existing recording contract under her birth name.

If she had selected the name Dolly Dean in 2014 as she jokingly mentioned to The Guardian, she would have been known as Double D again!

At the 1966 BMI Awards dinner, Parton attended with her husband, as they were both recognized in the country music category for their work on the song “Put It Off Until Tomorrow”.

Later on, Dean promptly removed his tuxedo before they had even arrived at the car. As quoted in her book, Parton wrote, “‘I’m glad for you,’ he said. ‘Go ahead and do what you wish to do. However, never ask me to attend another one of those events again, as I won’t.’ And true to his words, he hasn’t.

She’s already garnered her first BMI Award among her impressive collection, which includes 10 Grammys (excluding the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011), nine Country Music Association Awards, 13 Academy of Country Music Awards, and a multitude of other honors.

But the real prize has been waiting for Parton at home.

In 2018, the star of 9 to 5 told People magazine, “I usually make jokes and laugh when people ask me about the secret to my long-lasting marriage and love. My go-to response is ‘Stay away!’ There’s a grain of truth to that humor. I travel frequently, but we truly cherish our time together and appreciate the small gestures we share.

On one of their initial dinner outings, they opted for a drive-thru meal at McDonald’s in Dean’s Chevy, as Parton reminisced. Their culinary preferences as a couple didn’t evolve much into something more extravagant (even though Forbes estimated Parton’s net worth to be $440 million in 2023). They continue to frequent local eateries and enjoy taking road trips, with Ringgold – the place where they exchanged vows – being a regular haunt for them.

2014 saw Dolly Parton expressing her affection for reading, cooking, and spending time with her husband in their compact RV. She told Billboard, “Even after touring thousands of miles, I’d still say, ‘Let’s hit the road again.’ He might reply, ‘You’re exhausted? Don’t you want a break?’ But I’m like a gypsy; I crave that nomadic lifestyle. When I step out of the spotlight, my life becomes quite straightforward.

If you’re planning to spot Dolly Parton and Dean at places like Publix or Walmart that stay open all night, be ready for late-night visits. In 2019, while celebrating the launch of her Netflix series ‘Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings’, she shared this with reporters. “I often go shopping in the middle of the night at stores that are always open,” she said. “You might find it surprising how often I bump into someone there. I enjoy meeting people, but I don’t want to hold up my shopping.

Despite the scarcity of public images of the couple, fans might have been perplexed over the years, leading some to speculate that her husband is fictitious and a product of her imagination. However, the artist has occasionally shared vintage photographs with the public.

Back in ’69, I couldn’t help but swoon over Dolly Parton when she playfully featured her man on the cover of her album, “My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy.” It was a captivating collage, with Dolly lost in thought, gazing at her lumberjack love in his flannel shirt, nestled among the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains.

However, Parton understands Dean’s discomfort with the limelight, so she has made an effort to keep him away from it as often as feasible.

She shared with ET in 2020 that he is someone who tends to be calm and introverted. She added that if he were to step into the limelight, he would indeed not have a moment’s rest – and she was correct about that.

During their 50th anniversary at home, Dolly Parton was able to wear the stunning wedding dress she had always desired. Additionally, she composed a song titled “Forever Love” that matched their vows, which was one of many tracks on her 2016 album Pure and Simple, inspired by her and Dean’s enduring love story.

She shared with Rolling Stone that she donned an exquisite dress for their second wedding day, while her husband was dapper in a Hollywood-worthy attire. They kept the event intimate, inviting only close family and friends to avoid any unnecessary stress or tension. Rather than a grand affair, they opted for a casual ceremony at their private chapel, making sure to enjoy every moment of it.

In addition to the typical queries about her formula for a successful marriage, Parton has also faced numerous questions regarding the longevity of her relationship with Dean, maintaining their bond as a couple.

Earlier in my life, I felt as though I ought to feel remorseful about not having children,” Parton explained to Billboard. “Initially, when my husband and I were courting, and then after we got married, we assumed we would have offspring. There was nothing deliberate on our part to prevent it; in fact, we thought we might. We even had names picked out if it happened, but things didn’t go as planned. Now, however, I believe that God did not intend for me to have children myself, so instead, everyone else’s children can be mine.

In an interview with The Guardian, it was revealed that if they had a daughter instead, they would have called her Carla. They often pondered over the characteristics and lives their children might have led.

In her own words, Parton expressed, “I believe I could have excelled as a mother.” She added, “I likely would have sacrificed everything else for the sake of my children, as I might have felt guilty about leaving them behind to pursue a career. My life and career path may have taken a different turn if I had become a mother.

But as the fourth of 12 siblings, she has had plenty of people in her life to dote on.

She shared with Billboard that her family is extremely important to her; for a long time, five of her younger siblings resided with her and her partner. They are also close to their nieces and nephews. As she and her partner grow older, they often express gratitude for not having children because it means they no longer have the worry of raising them.

Which also leaves more time to focus on each other.

In 2020, Parton shared with People, “We still find special moments, reminiscent of spring when the daffodils first bloom. Even if there’s some snow left, my husband always gifts me a bouquet. He often writes a little poem too, which I treasure dearly. To me, that’s invaluable; it feels like a date all on its own.

Regardless if they’re enjoying a cozy dinner at home with candles or traveling and staying at a Days Inn (as long as the room is clean and has a bathroom), they find true happiness simply living their lives.

Despite Dean never attending events like the Grammys or Oscars, Parton, who seldom goes without makeup even during sleep, always finds an excuse to dress up elegantly when she’s awake. Nevertheless, he still admires his wife in her glamorous style.

She expressed that he assumes she will always present herself well for him because she values staying active rather than lazing around at home. However, generally speaking, “He pays little attention to my choice of clothing as long as I’m content. He appreciates me just the way I am.

2024-09-26 19:19

Inside Dolly Parton’s Ultra-Private Romance With Husband Carl Dean

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