Dolly Parton's Love Story with Carl Dean and Their Marriage That Has Lasted More Than 50 Years

After over 50 years of marriage, Dolly Parton and Carl Dean are still very much in love and happy.

Last 2016, Dolly Parton and her husband Carl Dean celebrated 50 years of being happily married through a renewal of vows in Nashville.

Despite being a famous artist, Parton decided to keep her marriage out of the limelight for many years. However, there is much known about their romantic love story.

THEIR FIRST MEETING

The first time Deal laid eyes on Parton was on her first day in Nashville, outside the Wishy Washy Laundromat. He recalled:

“My first thought was I’m gonna marry that girl. My second thought was, Lord she’s good lookin’, and that was the day my life began. I wouldn’t trade the last 50 years for nothing on this earth.”

Parton, on the other hand, thought that Dean was handsome and was shocked he came forward to chat with her with a genuine interest in his eyes.

It wasn’t long until they started dating, following a big step in Parton’s life when the singer signed with Monument Records.

GETTING MARRIED

Not long after, the couple got engaged, but couldn’t get married after the contradiction it had with Parton’s career. She shared:

“Everyone at my label had invested money in me and in building my career, so they asked me if I’d wait a year to get married.”

Parton and Dean finally tied the knot in Ringgold Georgia, with the only witnesses being the bride’s mother, Avie Lee, the preacher, and his wife. She recalled:

“My mother made me a little white dress and a little bouquet. But I said ‘I can’t get married in a courthouse because I’ll never feel married.’ So we found a little Baptist church in town.”

SECRET TO A SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGE

During the duration of their marriage, Dean only made a public appearance with his wife a handful of times as they grow both together and independently.

Their privacy has worked well for them through the years, which has also been a secret to success in their partnership.

Parton said:

“You can’t be in each other’s face all the time. Actually, I think that has been the best formula for us, the fact that we appreciate each other when we are together. We don’t have to be together all the time.”

Being under the spotlight was not something Dean wanted to do, nor did he ever want to be in the same industry. However, he showed his support to Parton behind the scenes.