Dolly Parton and her husband, Carl Dean, shared a love story that spanned nearly six decades.

However, their relationship once faced a serious challenge from a woman who inspired one of Dolly’s most famous songs—’Jolene’.

The country music legend, 79, confirmed the heartbreaking news that Carl had passed away at the age of 82. 

In an emotional statement, she reflected on their incredible journey together and expressed gratitude for the many years of love they shared.

“Carl Dean, husband of Dolly Parton, passed away on March 3rd in Nashville at the age of 82. He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family attending. 

He is survived by his siblings, Sandra and Donnie. 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 has asked for privacy during this difficult time.”

Despite keeping their marriage out of the spotlight, Dolly often hinted at their deep connection through her music. One of her biggest hits, ‘Jolene’, is a prime example, as it was inspired by a real-life woman who caught Carl’s attention. Interestingly, Dolly wrote ‘Jolene’ on the same day she penned another legendary song, ‘I Will Always Love You’.

For years, Dolly spoke about how ‘Jolene’ was based on a true story, but only recently did she reveal more details about what really happened. She recalled growing suspicious when Carl made repeated trips to the bank, far more often than seemed necessary.

“Her name wasn’t really Jolene, but she worked at the bank, and she was absolutely beautiful,” Dolly revealed in an interview. “I started wondering why he kept going there so much. We didn’t even have that kind of money at the time! He and his father were in the asphalt paving business, so I asked him, ‘Why do you always need to talk to her?’”

Although Carl assured Dolly that nothing was going on, she wasn’t convinced. She playfully warned him to be cautious about his interactions with the bank employee.

“I told him, ‘You better be talking to one of the guys there, or it’s going to be your ** and your fault! So there’s your asphalt.’”

Looking back, Dolly admitted that her jealousy may have been unnecessary.

“I think I just felt threatened because she was prettier than me,” she confessed. “Carl wasn’t having an affair, but he was definitely flirting. And I’m a flirt too! But I knew it would make a great song, so I wrote it.”

Though Dolly eventually laughed about the situation, she once joked that her confrontation with ‘Jolene’ was far from peaceful. During an episode of her variety show, she shared a humorous version of the story.

“This is a true story for those of you who don’t know. I wrote this song years ago about a woman in Nashville who worked at the bank. She was trying to take care of my husband while I was out on the road. Well, that didn’t go over too well with me! I fought that red-headed woman like a wildcat. She yanked my wig off and nearly beat me to death with it. But in the end, I kept my husband—I got that sucker home and gave him a piece of my mind!”

Carl Dean remained a steadfast figure in Dolly’s life. Despite his aversion to fame, he supported her career from behind the scenes and stayed by her side through every high and low. His passing marks the end of an era, but Dolly’s love for him will undoubtedly live on through the music and memories they created together.

Fans across the world have expressed their condolences to the legendary singer, recognizing the deep bond she and Carl shared. As Dolly takes time to grieve privately, her fans continue to show their unwavering support, remembering not only Carl Dean but also the once-in-a-lifetime love story he shared with the queen of country music.

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