Dolly Parton Explains Why Late Husband Carl Dean Didn't Attend Events With Her

After decades spent in quiet support of his beloved wife, Dolly Parton's husband Carl Thomas Dean died on March 3, 2025. Dean, who diligently avoided the spotlight throughout his 59 years of marriage to the country legend, was always one of the most mysterious aspects of Parton's extraordinary life. 

In fact, Dean, who died at the age of 82 this week, only ever went to a single event with his superstar wife before swearing off Hollywood entirely.

During a 2023 episode of What Would Dolly Do? Radio on Apple Music 1, Parton offered some rare insight into their relationship, even going as far as to recall the event that led Dean to ditch red carpets for good.

“Carl has never been in the limelight and all, never wanted to be in it. He don't like it,” Parton, 79, explained to co-host Kelleigh Bannen. “He went to one thing with me early on, when we first married, to a BMI Song of the Year [event], and he came out of there taking off his tuxedo, his tie and all that and said, ‘Don't ever ask me to go to another one of these damn things because I ain't going.’ I never asked him and he never did.”

The country music legend went on to praise her husband for his unfaltering honesty. 

“He’s very honest,” Parton shared. “We have such a great relationship. I know not to ask him if I don't want an honest answer.”

The subject of Dean and his health became a hot topic following Parton's 2022 announcement that she has decided to stop touring. The Tennessee native elaborated on her decision to stay close to home in a 2023 interview with Country Living.

"I've got so many business things I'm doing," Parton explained "And my husband and I are getting older—he's a little older than I am—and I kind of need to be with him."

"I might take off of you know, a month instead of a week, but no, I don't plan to ever retire unless my husband was sick and really needed me, or I was sick, that'd be the only two reasons I would ever quit," Parton added. "And let's hope that never happens."

Rest in peace, Carl.