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Country music fans around the globe continue to grieve the loss of Dolly Parton, the legendary singer who passed away at 80 after a brief battle with cancer. The iconic artist, known for hits like “9 to 5,” died on August 25 at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, Tennessee.
In a heartfelt interview on CBS Mornings with Gayle King, Dolly’s sister, Stella Parton, opened up about Dolly’s relationship with her late husband, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025 at the age of 82. Stella described Carl as deeply devoted to Dolly, saying, “He adored her.
He was fascinated by her. He thought she was funny like Tinkerbell, and he was quiet and shy.”
She also revealed that Carl, unlike Dolly, was uncomfortable with crowds-a sentiment highlighted in a resurfaced video where Dolly confronted him about the song “Jolene.”
Stella recounted a memorable moment from 1967 when Carl accompanied Dolly to her first award ceremony. “He was yanking off his tie and everything because he couldn’t stand all that crowd.
He said, ‘Now listen, I’m not doing this ever again,'” she recalled. Despite their differences, Stella emphasized their relationship was a “sweet romance.”
When asked if Carl was encouraging of Dolly’s career, Stella noted, “No, he didn’t care about that at all. He’d rather her be at the house with her hair up in a ponytail and barefoot, cooking in the kitchen, just messing around the house.
I think that’s what he would have preferred.” Nevertheless, she affirmed that Carl was proud of Dolly and loved her enough to support her true self.
Though Dolly and Carl kept their marriage mostly private, the singer shared insights into their enduring bond in a 2018 interview with People Magazine. She humorously advised, “Stay gone!”
explaining that their time apart due to Dolly’s travels helped keep their love strong. When together, they cherished the simple moments.
Away from the spotlight, Dolly and Carl enjoyed quiet picnics in the countryside and low-key dinners at local restaurants. Dolly fondly remembered, “When I met my husband, he wanted to take me out to dinner.
He pulled up to the drive-in window and got our food at McDonald’s. We know a few little places we can go without being bothered.
He only likes to go places where he can be comfortable!”
Their understated, loving relationship was a testament to the genuine connection they shared away from the public eye.