Dolly Parton Reveals the Charming Story of Meeting Her Husband, Carl Dean
In a heartwarming revelation that continues to capture hearts, Dolly Parton has shared the story of how she met the love of her life, Carl Dean, in the most unexpected of places—a laundromat.
It was 1964, and Dolly had just arrived in Nashville, eager to chase her dreams in country music. She was only 18 years old, carrying a bag of dirty clothes and a heart full of ambition. While doing her laundry at the Wishy Washy Laundromat, a handsome young man named Carl Dean, then 21, spotted her from across the parking lot. He called out to her—and in true Dolly fashion, she waved back and smiled.
“Bein’ from the country, I spoke to everybody,” Dolly once recalled in an interview. “And he came over and, well, it was Carl, my husband.”
That ordinary day turned into the beginning of an extraordinary love story. Just two years later, on May 30, 1966, the couple married in a small, private ceremony in Ringgold, Georgia, with only Dolly’s mother, the preacher, and the preacher’s wife in attendance.
Despite Dolly’s world-famous career, Carl Dean has remained out of the public eye, choosing a quiet life away from the spotlight. He rarely appears at public events or interviews, but Dolly has always honored his wish for privacy—calling him “a loner” and “a homebody,” yet her biggest supporter.
“He said, ‘I didn’t choose this world, I chose you. And you chose that world. But we can keep our lives separate and together.’ And we do, and we have,” Dolly shared.
Their marriage has now spanned more than 58 years, a rarity in the entertainment world. Their love—rooted in humor, independence, and mutual respect—remains one of the most enduring romances in country music history.