Renowned for his reclusive nature throughout his nearly six-decade-long marriage to Parton, Carl Dean, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, as announced in a heartfelt tribute she posted on social media. "Carl and I shared countless magnificent years together," the statement read, "No words can adequately encapsulate the profound love we nurtured for over six decades. Thank you for your condolences and heartfelt sympathy."
The iconic singer of "9 to 5" first encountered Dean outside a laundromat on the very day she arrived in Nashville as an 18-year-old dreamer with aspirations of a singing career. Recalling their fateful meeting, Parton, now 79, said, "I was both astounded and thrilled that as he spoke to me, he gazed directly into my eyes—a gesture uncommon for me. He seemed genuinely curious about discovering my true self and my aspirations."
Two years later, on May 30, 1966, their love culminated in a private ceremony held in Ringgold, Georgia, where they exchanged solemn vows. Throughout their marital journey, Dean preferred to stay away from the public glare, choosing instead to concentrate on his asphalt-paving business in Nashville.
While remaining largely out of the spotlight, Dean left an indelible mark on Parton's work, most prominently inspiring her timeless classic, "Jolene." In a 2008 interview with US media, Parton revealed that the song was inspired by a bank teller who had developed a crush on Dean. "She had this intense infatuation with my husband," Parton shared. "He loved visiting the bank because she showered him with attention. It became a playful joke between us—me saying, 'Gosh, you're spending too much time at the bank. I don't think we have that kind of money!' It's actually a song rooted in innocence, though it might sound otherwise."
The enigmatic nature of Parton and Dean's relationship sparked rumors that Dean didn't exist at all—a notion that Parton humorously addressed. "Many people speculate that Carl Dean doesn't exist, that he's just a figment of my imagination to keep people at bay," she told the Associated Press in 1984.
Parton and Dean shared no children together. According to Parton's statement, he is survived by his siblings, Sandra and Donnie.
