Dolly Parton Mourns the Death of Her Husband Carl Dean at 82

The reclusive businessman, who inspired the iconic song 'Jolene,' passed away after nearly 60 years of marriage to the country music legend.

Carl Dean, Dolly Parton's husband of nearly six decades, died on March 3, 2025, at the age of 82 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Dean, a private businessman who owned an asphalt company, avoided the public eye throughout their marriage, leading to speculation about his existence over the years.
The couple met in 1964 outside a laundromat in Nashville shortly after Parton moved to the city to pursue her music career; they married in 1966.
Dean inspired Parton's 1973 hit 'Jolene,' which was based on a lighthearted story involving a bank employee who showed interest in him.
A private funeral ceremony will be held for Dean with only close family in attendance, as confirmed by Parton in a heartfelt social media statement.