Was Dolly Parton in an ‘Open’ Relationship With Husband Carl Dean Before His Death?

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Trigger warning: This article contains mentions of death. 

Country music icon Dolly Parton announced the death of her husband, Carl Dean, who was 82 years old. This sad news came on Monday, March 3. In an emotional Instagram post, she remembered their long years together, expressing that no words can fully capture the depth of the love they shared for more than six decades.

For almost six decades, the pair shared their lives, but sadly, one of them passed away under unfortunate circumstances. Even though they’d been together for many years, they preferred to keep their personal affairs confidential. Particularly, Dean, who had an reputation for being secluded, was known for maintaining a private lifestyle.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I’d like to share some intriguing insights from Dolly Parton. In an interview with The Mirror US, she candidly admitted that her past relationship was not traditional. She described it as ‘open’, meaning there were no strict boundaries when it came to romantic involvement. Furthermore, the iconic singer shared her fascination for men of varying shapes and sizes, confessing that she’s had crushes on short, fat, bald, or skinny men throughout her life.

In my own account, I’ve shared that my husband was aware I’d eventually return to him. He understood I wouldn’t cross any lines with those gentlemen, only engaging in some playful banter. Through my 2017 autobiography, Dolly on Dolly: Interviews and Encounters with Yours Truly, I offer a glimpse into my relationship with Dean, as sung by none other than me, Dolly Parton.

She stated, “He isn’t envious, and neither am I about him. He’s aware that I engage in flirtatious banter, and so does he. However, our relationship is not exclusive emotionally but not sexually.” To make it clearer, she emphasized, “I would be furious if I suspected him of crossing those boundaries.

During a chat with E! News back in 2022, this 11-time Grammy award recipient opened up about maintaining passion in their partnership. She disclosed that they managed to keep their romance exciting by occasionally indulging in playful dressing up games together.

Throughout their marriage, the couple chose not to have any children, a decision that wasn’t initially part of their plans when they got married. They had even chosen names for hypothetical children. However, as time passed, the singer came to understand that it was better for them not to have children. “God has a plan for everything,” she explained later on.

Carl Dean is survived by his siblings, Sandra and Donnie.

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2025-03-04 19:07