Carl Dean, husband of country music legend Dolly Parton, passed away on March 3, 2025, at age 82. Parton shared the news, stating he will be honored in a private ceremony with close family. While the exact cause of death remains undisclosed, Dean had been battling Alzheimer’s since 2019.
A Lifelong Love Story
Parton and Dean met in 1964 at a laundromat in Nashville, with the singer later recalling, “love at first sight.” They married in 1966 and maintained a private relationship. “He’s a country boy. […] He likes the privacy, and he would never in a million years do an interview,” Parton once shared. Despite avoiding the spotlight, Dean remained Parton’s greatest supporter.
Shared Life and Challenges
As Parton’s career flourished, she prioritized time with Dean, stepping away from touring. “I like to stay a little closer to home with my husband,” she said in 2016. Dean’s health issues, including high blood pressure and a weakened heart, eventually required more support from Parton.
A Lasting Legacy
Despite fame, Parton and Dean shared quiet joys, traveling in their RV and celebrating holidays together. His passing ends a 58-year marriage filled with laughter and devotion. “Whether watching movies or going for walks, just being together was enough,” she once said. Though he is gone, his presence will always remain in her life.
