Dolly Parton has revealed the secret to keeping a private and successful marriage. The “Jolene” singer has been married to her husband, Carl Dean, since 1966 after the couple dated for two years. According to Dolly, they met in Nashville when she was 18 and he was 21, and they fell in love at first sight. When asked about how they maintain their relationship quietly, the actress shared some simple principles that have worked for them for decades.
Although Dolly Parton’s husband is not known publicly, her words reflect how much she cherishes him and the deep mutual respect they both have for each other. Dolly Parton claims her husband is her biggest supporter and someone she leans on.
Who is Dolly Parton’s husband?
Dolly Parton’s husband was an asphalt business owner who enjoyed living his life away from the spotlight despite being married to the award-winning country music star. Not much of his life is known except a couple of moments that Dolly Parton shares during interviews and in books. Nevertheless, he values her music career and has always supported her.
According to Dolly, after the first public appearance she made with her husband at a BMI awards banquet in 1966, “He said, ‘I’m happy for you, I want you to do what you want to do. But don’t ever ask me to go to another one of them damn things, because I ain’t going.’ And he never has.” From that time, Dolly Parton has received 35 more BMI awards.
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Dolly shared that she and her husband do not gift themselves fancy things. “When I see things through the years that I think he would like, when I’m out, I’ll just kind of collect stuff and give it to him, ” she said and added that they prefer practical gifts that reflect their hobbies. Since her husband enjoys working at the barn, she gifts him tools that he would need, while he gifts her kitchen utensils because she loves to cook.
Dolly Parton and her husband’s plans for Christmas
Despite Dolly Parton’s busy life, she revealed that she has “never missed Christmas.” She sees it as a time to be with her husband and visit their families. She intentionally finishes her plans for the year before Christmas and does not accept invitations during the festive period. This Christmas, Dolly, and her husband plan to “visit family and friends in East Tennessee,” and “Carl’s family some, and then we’ll just have all that food.”
Even though many assume Dolly Parton is outgoing, she said she prefers being with her husband, cooking, reading books, and working around the house. The couple also travels around the country, camping, and shopping. To avoid Dolly Parton’s husband being seen in public, they do their grocery shopping in malls that are open 24 hours a day.
Dolly Parton and her husband renewed their vows in the presence of family and friends when their marriage was 50 years. But pictures of the event were not shared since it was a simple ceremony. Dolly Parton and her husband enjoy their peaceful and quiet life.