Carl Dean, the devoted husband of country music legend Dolly Parton, passed away on Monday at the age of 82.

Dean, who spent his life away from the limelight despite his wife’s global fame, was the inspiration behind one of Parton’s most iconic songs, Jolene.

According to a statement shared by Parton’s publicist, Dean passed away in Nashville, Tennessee.

His funeral will be a private ceremony attended only by immediate family members.

“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,” Parton expressed in a heartfelt statement.

The family has requested privacy during this difficult time, and no cause of death has been disclosed.

Dolly’s meet cute with hubby

Dean and Parton first crossed paths outside the Wishy Washy Laundromat on the day she moved to Nashville at just 18 years old.

Recalling their first meeting, Parton once shared, “I was surprised and delighted that while he talked to me, he looked at my face—a rare thing for me.

He seemed to be genuinely interested in finding out who I was and what I was about.”

Their love story quickly blossomed, and two years later, they married in a quiet ceremony on May 30, 1966, in Ringgold, Georgia.

A businessman by profession, Dean owned an asphalt-paving company in Nashville.

Despite being married to one of the biggest names in entertainment, he chose to remain out of the public eye.

His love and quiet support for Parton remained unwavering through the years.

His influence extended beyond their private life and into her music.

In a 2008 interview, Parton revealed that Jolene was inspired by a flirtatious bank teller who caught Dean’s attention.

What started as an innocent joke between them turned into one of country music’s most famous songs.

Dean also played a role in inspiring Parton’s 2023 Rockstar album.

She described him as a “big rock and roller” and shared that she included one of his favorite songs, My Blue Tears, in the album as a tribute.

Dean is survived by Parton and his two siblings, Sandra and Donnie.

His unwavering love and quiet presence in Parton’s life will forever remain an integral part of her story.