Dolly Parton and Carl Thomas Dean’s 6 Keys to a Strong Marriage

Dolly Parton and Carl Thomas Dean fell in love over sixty years ago and were married for nearly 59 years when he passed away on Monday, March 3, at the age of 82.

“Words can’t adequately express the love we shared for over 60 years,” the singer posted on her Instagram account while announcing her husband’s passing.

Their relationship showcased the dynamics of opposites attracting.

While Dean was notably private—with very few public pictures of him and headlines labeling him “a man of mystery”—Parton is recognized as one of the most iconic figures worldwide.

The lively and outgoing country music icon described her husband as a rather quiet, reserved individual who preferred solitude with her.

“We are two different people,” she shared with Entertainment Tonight in 2023. “But we complement each other perfectly.”

Here are some of the secrets to their successful marriage:

Opposites attract

The couple first crossed paths outside the Wishy Washy Laundromat in Nashville, Tennessee, on the very day Parton moved to the city, as per her official website.

She remembered strolling down the street after loading her clothes into a washing machine when “this guy called out to me” and approached to chat, as Parton told The New York Times.

“My immediate thought was, ‘I’m going to marry that girl,'” Dean revealed to Entertainment Tonight in 2016. “My second thought was, ‘Wow, she’s beautiful.’ And that day marked the beginning of my life.”

Parton felt “surprised and thrilled” that he was so engaged in their conversation and genuinely interested in her as a person.

The couple tied the knot two years later, on May 30, 1966.

“They say that opposites attract, and that’s absolutely the case,” Parton noted to People in 2015. “We are completely different, but that’s what adds to the fun. He never fails to surprise me.”

Dean wasn’t part of the music industry and preferred to stay out of the limelight, a choice she fully respected.

Appreciate what you have with your spouse

In a 1982 interview with Barbara Walters, Parton expressed that she and her husband were both “flirts,” but knew where to draw the line.

“There are attractive men who can be quite forward. And sometimes, I like to playfully flirt as well,” the singer remarked. “But I know I have something at home that I wouldn’t jeopardize for anything.”

She emphasized her husband’s unwavering support and pride in their long-standing marriage.

“There’s always a sense of safety, security, and strength,” Parton told Knox News about her life with Dean. “He is a wonderful man, we’ve built a beautiful life together, and he has been an incredible husband.”

Spend some time apart

Parton believed in the importance of giving each other space.

“When people ask, ‘How did your marriage last so long?’ I say, ‘I’m always on the go,’” Parton explained. “So we aren’t in each other’s faces constantly.”

Due to her frequent travel, the couple truly cherished the time they spent together at home.

They had individual interests, yet also shared activities they loved doing together, she noted.

Understand each other

Although Dean wasn’t involved in the entertainment industry, he understood the demands it placed on his wife and held no resentment towards her fame or the celebrity interactions she experienced.

“He truly comprehends me and my world. He possesses a great sense of self-security. There’s never been a hint of jealousy. It’s a wonderful compliment to our relationship,” Parton shared with Parade in 2015.

“I know I’d never find that in anyone else. He loves me, and I love him.”

Keep laughing

Parton attributes much of their enduring relationship to both her husband’s and her own sense of humor.

“Even when problems arise, having a good sense of humor can turn those moments around,” she smiled.

Keep things spicy

For her husband’s 79th birthday in 2021, Parton donned a Playboy bunny costume, knowing he always appreciated the magazine’s covers, aiming to bring him joy.

“He still sees me as a hot chick,” the star remarked in a video posted on Instagram. “And I have no intention of convincing him otherwise.”