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Dolly Parton’s Husband Carl Dean Passes

March 4, 2025/by Lorie Hollabaugh

Dolly Parton and Carl Dean

Carl Dean, longtime husband of Dolly Parton, has passed away. He was 82.

Parton shared the news on her social media on Monday (March 3) in a statement. The two married in 1966 and Dean remained out of the public eye for most of their union. They met when she was 18 after passing each other at a Wishy Washy Laundromat, and married two years later. Dean shied away from the limelight during their marriage, preferring to cheer her on from behind the scenes of Parton’s high-watt career throughout their life together. The two never had children.

In her statement Parton said: “Carl Dean, husband of Dolly Parton, passed away March 3rd in Nashville at the age of 82. He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family attending. He is survived by his siblings Sandra and Donnie.

“Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.”

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Lorie Hollabaugh
Lorie Hollabaugh
Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at lhollabaugh@musicrow.com.
Lorie Hollabaugh
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https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/carl-dean-obit.png 833 1480 Lorie Hollabaugh https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png Lorie Hollabaugh2025-03-04 15:56:012025-03-04 15:56:01Dolly Parton’s Husband Carl Dean Passes

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