Sad news out of Nashville Monday night. Dolly Parton’s husband of just short of 60 years has died. The music icon shared statement on her social media channels that said Carl Thomas Dean passed away at the age of 82 on March 3, 2025.

Dean was notably a very private person and so too shall he be in death. He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with just immediate family attending. Along with Parton, Dean is survived by siblings Sandra and Donnie.

His loving wife said in her official statement, “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.”

Parton has said of her famously private beau that she met him the day she moved to Nashville in 1964 just outside of a laundromat. In her typical jovial fashion, she told the New York Times, “I’d come to Nashville with dirty clothes.” Dean admitted he saw her and knew he’d marry her one day. They dated for two years before getting married in May of 1966.

While Parton soared to super stardom, Dean has remained somewhat of a mystery to the public, only having ever attended one public event with his wife. The limelight was not for him and Parton was just fine with that, as she explained in an episode of What Would Dolly Do? Radio on Apple Music 1. “He’s very honest. We have such a great relationship. I know not to ask him if I don’t want an honest answer.”

As we have previously reported, her dedication to her husband is in part why she has stopped touring. “My husband and I are getting older—he’s a little older than I am—and I kind of need to be with him.”

The family asks for privacy as they grieve. Our prayers are with them all.