Dolly Parton and her late husband, Carl Dean, were married for almost 60 years, but they never had children. This choice had a big impact on Dolly’s famous work.
The Freedom to Focus on Her Dreams
In a 2020 conversation with Oprah Winfrey, Dolly explained how not having kids allowed her to fully dedicate herself to her music and philanthropy. “Since I had no kids, and my husband was pretty independent, I had freedom,” she said on The Oprah Conversation. “So I think a big part of my whole success is the fact that I was free to work.”
She also believed that her path in life was meant to serve a larger purpose. “I didn’t have children because I believed that God didn’t mean for me to have kids so everybody’s kids could be mine,” she shared. This belief led her to create the Imagination Library, a program that has provided free books to children for 30 years, ensuring they have access to reading before they even start school.
A Love Story That Started at a Laundromat
Dolly and Carl’s love story began long before she became a household name. At just 18 years old, she met Carl outside a Nashville laundromat shortly after moving to the city to chase her dream of becoming a performer. Two years later, in 1966, they secretly married, keeping their relationship private as Dolly’s career skyrocketed.
Carl preferred life out of the spotlight, and Dolly respected his need for privacy. While she became a music icon, he stayed behind the scenes, content with a simple life.
Keeping Life Simple and Special
Despite her busy schedule, Dolly always made time for Carl. Their idea of fun wasn’t lavish red carpets or celebrity events—it was road trips, fast food, and quiet moments together. “We drive through these little drive-through restaurants,” Dolly told Parade in 2015. “We sightsee all of Tennessee and Kentucky, the areas that we can get back home from at night. Sometimes we’ll stay over at a Days Inn [motel] where we can just pull up and sneak me in. We don’t care, as long as the bed’s clean and there’s a bathroom. That’s how we live.”
Saying Goodbye to Her Beloved Carl
On March 3, 2024, Dolly announced Carl Dean’s passing at the age of 82. In a heartfelt tribute, she wrote:
“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. The family asks for privacy during this difficult time.”