Does Dolly Parton have children with her late husband Carl Dean? Hollywood Life
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Dolly Dean, the late wife of Carl Thomas Dean, found her love in her late husband
Carl Thomas Dean
. In 1966, the two fell in love. Carl avoided the spotlight, even though the “Jolene’ hitmaker was one of the biggest names in music. The two enjoyed a long-lasting relationship until Carl’s death in March 2025. Fans were shocked by the news, since many did not know anything about Carl’s marriage to Dolly, or if they had children together. The love we shared over 60 years is beyond words. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.” The statement also indicated that Carl died in Nashville, and no cause of death was provided.
Learn more about Dolly and Carl’s life together, marriage and family below.
How Did Dolly Parton & Husband Carl Dean Meet?
Dolly met Carl when she moved to Nashville at just 18 years old outside of a Wishy Washy Laundromat, according to the Associated Press. According to the outlet, Dolly Parton recalled being “surprised” and “delighted” that he was looking at her face while she spoke with him. This is a rare occurrence for her. Carl Dean was a Nashville businessman who owned an asphalt paving company. Dolly Parton is currently 79 and Carl Dean was 82 when he died. In multiple interviews, the “9 to 5” songstress has spoken out about her lack of children. Dolly recalled that when she and Carl first fell in loves, she thought they would have children. “I was juggling my music career, my career as a singer and traveling. With everything that’s going on, I would hate to bring a child into this world right now. In light of all that is going on in this world, I would hate to bring a child into it right now. In a 2014 interview, Dolly said, “I used to think I should regret it.” We didn’t do anything to stop it. We even thought we might. It didn’t work out like that. We had names for if it did. I now say that God didn’t want me to have children so everyone else’s could be mine. I am very close with my family – five of my younger siblings lived with Carl and me for many years – and we are very close to our nephews and nieces. Carl and I, now that we are older, often ask each other, “Aren’t you glad that we didn’t get married?” We don’t need to worry anymore about our children. ‘”
Carl Dean Inspired Dolly Parton’s Song ‘Jolene’
Behind the iconic lyrics of “Jolene” is a story, but it’s not as dramatic as fans might assume. Dolly Parton revealed in a 2008 NPR interview that the inspiration for her song was a bank teller who had a crush Carl Dean.
“She got this terrible crushing on my husband,” Dolly said. He loved going to the banks because she was so attentive. It was like a joke between us, when I said, “Hell, you spend a lot time at the banks.” I don’t think we have that much money. It’s a really innocent song, but it sounds awful.”
