The iconic Dolly Parton was a recent guest on Bunnie Xo’s Dumb Blonde podcast for an episode titled Dolly Parton: Queen of Everything. The pair covered a wide array of topics, from early career influences and celebrity crushes to love, loss, and grief. Bunnie described the experience of interviewing the living legend as “a dream come true.”

Dolly Parton came from very humble beginnings and moved to Nashville the day after graduating high school to pursue a career in music. During the podcast, she playfully recalls leaving two boyfriends at home to follow her dreams.

Upon arriving in Music City, the then-18-year-old told herself, “The last thing I want is a boyfriend.” She wanted to “get her feet on the ground and get things going” without being distracted by a relationship.

Despite her resolve, Dolly Parton met her future husband in a laundromat on her very first day in Nashville. Carl Dean was three years older than Dolly and worked in asphalt paving at the time.

Dolly reveals her secret to a long, happy marriage.

Dolly Parton and Carl Dean married on May 30, 1966. As the “Jolene” singer reflected on her nearly six-decade-long marriage, she shared:

“He’s a good guy – He’s quiet, and I’m loud… One of the things that’s made it last so long through the years – we love each other, we respect each other, but we have a lot of fun.”

via DollyParton.com
Dolly says that any time there is “too much tension going on,” she and Carl are good about finding ways to make a joke or lighten the situation.

“We never fought back and forth. And I’m glad we never did.”

Bunnie, who has been married to country star Jelly Roll for eight years, asked Dolly what she feels has been the “most important but sometimes overlooked” aspect of her relationship with her husband.

Dolly describes Carl as a “homebody” and adds, “That worked well for us.”

“He loves music, but he’s not the least bit interested in being in it. And he told me that right up front.”

via DollyParton.com
Dolly recalled winning her first award in 1967 for the BMI Song of the Year. She “begged” her new husband to accompany her, and he obliged, but he was noticeably uncomfortable the entire time. From that point forward, the couple had an understanding that Carl would support his wife’s musical pursuits but would not join her in the spotlight.

“I respected that,” said Dolly. “He’s just special to me, and I love him like he is.”

Carl Dean passed away on March 3rd at the age of 82. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dolly Parton and their family at this time.