Dolly Parton's hit song was released in October 1973 and has since been covered by dozens of musicians. She previously said that the ballad was "loosely based on a little bit of truth" by a woman who had a crush on the singer's late husband,

Carl Dean, Dolly Parton's husband for nearly 60 years and the man whose flirting inspired her classic hit "Jolene," has died. He was 82. Parton announced the news today in an Instagram post. "Carl Dean,

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.

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.

Carl Dean, Dolly Parton’s husband of more than 60 years, died at the age of 82, per Parton’s social media accounts. Dean died on March 3 in Nashville, Tennessee. Parton added a brief statement to the announcement,

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

Dolly Parton married businessman Carl Thomas Dean in 1966. In March 2025, she announced her late husband's death. Learn more about him here.

Dolly Parton's iconic song 'Jolene' was actually inspired by a woman who had on a crush on her late husband Carl, who she was married to for almost 60 years

Mr. Dean, who inspired songs including “Jolene” and “From Here to the Moon and Back,” was known to shy away from the spotlight as his wife rose to fame.

Carl Thomas Dean has died at the age of 82. He married Dolly Parton in 1966 but stayed out of the spotlight and was rarely seen in public.