After nearly 60 years together, the former road-paving business owner passed away

Carl Dean, a businessman, d-ied. He was married to famous country singer Dolly Parton for nearly 60 years.

Just nine years after reaffirming his marriage to the ‘9 to 5’ hitmaker, the 82-year-old d-ied yesterday (March 3) in his birthplace of Nashville, Tennessee.

The entrepreneur’s 79-year-old wife Parton has issued the following statement: “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.”

While their family have also asked for ‘privacy during this difficult time’.

Dean is survived by his siblings Sandra and Donnie, and will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family.

During a chat on the Dumb Blonde podcast last year, the then 78-year-old musician recalled: “He said, ‘Look, now I want you to do everything you want to do, and I wish you the best, but don’t ever ask me to go to another one of these damn things because I ain’t going,’ and he never did.”

Parton wasn’t surprised by her newlywed husband’s decision at the time, because he was never interested in having the spotlight on him.

“He loves music, but he’s not the least bit interested in being in it,” she said. “And he told me that right up front.”

Their marriage had stood the test of time and the couple even renewed their vows in 2016 at their Nashville home.

It sounds like Parton and Dean were complete opposites and not just due to their feelings about fame. “He’s quiet and I’m loud, and we’re funny… we have a lot of fun,” she added.