Dolly Parton, the beloved country music legend, recently shared heartfelt memories about her late husband, Carl Dean, who passed away at the age of 82. Their remarkable 56-year marriage inspired much of her work, including one of her most famous songs, “Jolene.”
Parton has often revealed that “Jolene” was born from a personal experience involving Dean and a bank teller who had a crush on him back in the 1970s. She explained that Dean enjoyed visiting the bank because of the attention he received from the teller. “It was like a running joke between us,” she remarked, emphasizing that despite the song’s serious theme, it was created from an innocent situation.
The name “Jolene” itself came from a completely different encounter. During a performance, a young girl named Jolene, with striking red hair and green eyes, caught Parton’s attention. She was so taken by the girl’s beauty that she decided to write a song using her name.
Released in 1973, “Jolene” quickly became a hit, topping the country music charts and earning covers from various artists, including her goddaughter Miley Cyrus and pop icon Beyoncé.
Dolly Parton announced Carl Dean’s passing in a touching statement, expressing gratitude for the years they spent together. “Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years,” she said, reflecting on their deep bond.
Carl and Dolly first crossed paths at a laundromat when she was just 18. Although Dean preferred to stay out of the spotlight, he was known to be a solid support for his wife throughout her illustrious career. As he is laid to rest in a private ceremony, Parton’s memories of their life together will continue to resonate with fans around the world.
