Dolly Parton shares rare details about her 56-year marriage to husband Carl Thomas Dean

Virgin Radio

18 Jan 2023, 08:44

Country music icon Dolly Parton has given some rare insight into her 56-year marriage to husband Carl Thomas Dean. 

The pair tied the knot in 1966, two years after initially meeting in a laundromat, and Dolly has kept details about her marriage quiet throughout her career. 

In a new interview with Entertainment Tonight, the 9 To 5 legend revealed what she believes is the key to their longevity. 

Dolly shared: “I think I've talked pretty much about everything through the years with Carl, and we're different people. But we just work so well together." 

"He’s kind of a loner so he doesn't really like being with anybody but me, when I'm home. I mean, he’s not one to kind of get out there and socialise that much. He loves living on the farm, taking care of the property as he has for all these many years, and then, we just have a lot to talk about.”

Unlike Dolly, Carl’s work doesn’t involve the music industry, and the singer believes that has been a huge help. 

She continued: “He loves music, but he’s not in the music business at all, so we have different things to talk about, his world and my world, and we work really well together. 

“We have a lot of love and respect for each other, and I think the key to all of it -- we both have a crazy, warped sense of humour, so we have a lot of fun.”

Since their marriage in May 1966, Dolly has become one of the biggest names in music, selling over 100 million records worldwide, and recently landed in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. 

In 2016, Dolly and Carl renewed their vows on their 50th wedding anniversary, but the two continue to protect their relationship from the public. 

In other Dolly news, the beloved musician has teamed up with Debbie Harry and Cyndi Lauper for a new song on soundtrack of Jane Fonda’s new film, 80 For Brady. 

Written by Diane Warren, the song will accompany the upcoming film, which is inspired by a true story of four best friends who decide to take a wild trip to the 2017 Super Bowl LI to see their hero Tom Brady play live.