Dolly Parton: ‘Thank You for Your Prayers and Sympathy’

(TheProudRepublic.com) – In a devastating blow to the hearts of fans across the nation, beloved Dolly Parton thanked them for their prayers and sympathy after she announced the passing of her husband, Carl Dean.

See Dolly’s tweet and personal message below.

The notoriously private Dean, who steadfastly avoided the spotlight throughout Parton’s illustrious career, died yesterday in Nashville.

Dolly announced her husband’s passing in a heartfelt statement shared across social media platforms.

“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,” the country music star wrote, without revealing the cause of death.

Unlike many celebrity spouses who capitalize on their partner’s fame, Dean intentionally shunned the limelight throughout their marriage.

He owned an asphalt-paving business and preferred a quiet life away from the cameras and fanfare that followed his superstar wife.

“It’s just not who he is. He’s like, a quiet, reserved person and he figured if he ever got out there in that, he’d never get a minute’s peace and he’s right about that,” Parton once explained about her husband’s aversion to publicity.

The couple’s love story began in 1964 outside a Nashville laundromat when Parton was just 18 and Dean was 21.

They married two years later on May 30, 1966, in a small ceremony in Ringgold, Georgia, with only Parton’s mother and a few others in attendance.

The ceremony was deliberately kept simple to prevent interference from Parton’s record label, which reportedly preferred she remain single for her image.

In today’s entertainment industry, where marriages often collapse under the weight of fame and fortune, Dean and Parton’s nearly six-decade union stands as a testament to traditional family values.

“My first thought was ‘I’m gonna marry that girl,’ My second thought was, ‘Lord she’s good lookin.’ And that was the day my life began. I wouldn’t trade the last 50 years for nothing on this earth,” Dean once said about meeting Parton.

Dean’s life shows the power of humility and dedication. While his wife conquered stages worldwide, he quietly supported her career from the shadows, never seeking recognition or fame by association.

Many fans may be surprised to learn that Parton’s iconic hit “Jolene” was inspired by a woman who had developed a crush on Dean.

Additionally, the couple renewed their vows in 2016 during a private ceremony at their home to celebrate 50 years of marriage.

In an age of fleeting celebrity relationships and public drama, Carl Dean’s life stands as a quiet reminder of what truly matters – loyalty, commitment, and unwavering support.

Dean will be laid to rest in a private ceremony attended only by immediate family – a final nod to the privacy he cherished throughout his life.