Heartbreak in Dolly World
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (71778)
United States
March 3, 2025 8:23pm CST
Unquestionably, Dolly is one of the legends in entertainment. I don’t even have to use her last name, and you know who I mean.
Dolly’s heart is broken today. Her husband of nearly 59 years, Carl Dean, passed away today.
When you have someone with the superstardom the magnitude of Dolly’s, it’s easy to understand how her husband would be referred to as “Mr. Dolly Parton.” He didn’t like the limelight, telling her after an awards show early in her career that he’d do anything and everything for her career but he would NOT attend those circuses again. Dolly frequently joked that, every now and then, they would get photographed together just to prove that he really existed. 
Carl Dean inspired Dolly to write a number of songs, the most famous probably being “Jolene.” She said it wasn’t nearly as dramatic as it sounds, but about a bank teller who flirted with Dean when he went to the bank (prompting Dolly to quip that she once told him, “We can’t have that much money” 
). Most of the songs he inspired were genuine love songs, because they had a genuine love.
Carl Dean, “Mr. Dolly Parton,” was 82.
Here’s her hit “Jolene, which her late husband inspired.
Carl Dean inspired Dolly to write a number of songs, the most famous probably being “Jolene.” She said it wasn’t nearly as dramatic as it sounds, but about a bank teller who flirted with Dean when he went to the bank (prompting Dolly to quip that she once told him, “We can’t have that much money” ). Most of the songs he inspired were genuine love songs, because they had a genuine love.
Carl Dean, “Mr. Dolly Parton,” was 82.
Here’s her hit “Jolene, which her late husband inspired.Your browser isn’t supported anymore. Update it to get the best YouTube experience and our latest features. Learn moreRemind me later
12 people like this
10 responses
@MarieCoyle (41360)
•
9h
I have always loved and admired Dolly. And she has been so very generous in helping others, which to me goes a long way. They kept their private life private, and I honestly think that's a good thing. So many years together, it will be so very hard for her to carve out a life without him in it.
RIP, Carl Dean.
5 people like this
@FourWalls (71778)
• United States
8h
Dolly is the star, and Carl seemed very content with that.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (41360)
•
7h
@FourWalls
Married nearly 60 years. They found what worked for them and went with it.
3 people like this
@FourWalls (71778)
• United States
8h
Me too. Great lady who’s given so much joy to people.
3 people like this
@FourWalls (71778)
• United States
7h
She’s so iconic that it’s headline news on a lot of news sites.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (71778)
• United States
7h
I think he grounded her, which is what anyone would need in that crazy world.
3 people like this
@FourWalls (71778)
• United States
7h
I know. For her he was the rock in a very rocky business.
2 people like this
@lilacskies (7638)
• United States
9h
That's so sad. May he rest in peace. She is such a wonderful woman. I hope she finds peace and happiness.
3 people like this
@FourWalls (71778)
• United States
9h
She is wonderful. She does so much for everyone. Makes me proud to have bought those 45s when I was a kid.
4 people like this
@lilacskies (7638)
• United States
9h
@FourWalls She is. I love how charitable she is. She does a lot for the world besides bringing joy with her music.
4 people like this
@celticeagle (172006)
• Boise, Idaho
2h
Oh, how sad to hear this. I adore Dolly. She is one of my favorite humans. I know she will get through this okay. Still awfully sad.
