Carl was the love of Dolly’s life before he died in 2025. Learn more about the couple’s private relationship and whether or not they shared kids together.

Dolly Parton and her late husband Carl Dean had a simple reason for not bringing children into their nearly 60-year marriage.

Carl Dean, Dolly Parton’s husband of nearly 60 years, has died. The country music superstar says Dean died Monday in Nashville, Tennessee. He was 82.