Dolly Parton's death was announced on Tuesday, August 25, following a series of health issues, including a brief battle with cancer. In a statement via PEOPLE, the singer's representatives confirmed: "After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones."
While tributes poured in from fans worldwide and other musicians, it was reported that the 80-year-old had actually been declining following the 2025 death of her husband, Carl Dean. Dolly met Carl outside a laundromat when she was just 18, and they went on to spend almost 60 years together.
Reported Decline After Carl's Death
Commentator Kinsley Schofield stated that after his death, "Dolly kept working, she kept making plans, and when she told her fans she was motivated and looking forward, I believe she meant it, but behind the scenes, I'm told by my sources close to Dolly, there was a noticeable decline after Carl died."
Kinsey told GB News: "She carried on because that's who Dolly was, but losing him was a challenge for her."
Dolly and Carl's Wedding
After meeting in 1964, Dolly and Carl got married two years later. The only people in attendance were her mum, Avie Lee, and the preacher and his wife. As Dolly's career was taking off, she and Carl decided to elope after her record label, Monument, worried that her getting married would get in the way of her music career.
According to People, the record label wanted her to think about it, and in her true Southern fashion, Dolly responded: "I ain't waiting." Dolly then got her big break in 1966, after her first solo hit, Dumb Blonde, gained momentum on the charts.
Carl's First and Last Red Carpet Appearance
Carl famously shunned the spotlight to focus on business, while Dolly gained international stardom. After she was honoured with a songwriting award in 1966, Dolly reflected: "This was my first big record, it went to number one for Bill [Phillips], and it was BMI's Song of the Year."
"So Carl and I got dressed up, he was in a tux, and we drove to the dinner. We got out and walked up the red carpet and went inside and sat through dinner, and the awards. After the dinner, Carl turned to me and said, 'Dolly, I want you to have everything you want, and I'm happy for you, but don't you ever ask me to go to another one of them dang things again.'"
Dolly and Carl's Differences
Despite despising the spotlight, Dolly credited the success of their marriage to their differences. In 2015, the singer told People: "They say that opposites attract, and it's true. We're completely opposite, but that's what makes it fun. I never know what he's gonna say or do. He's always surprising me."
Dolly added: "He wants to be mostly around the house. He knows I'm just the opposite. I can't go enough places. I can't do enough things. He loves that. He's independent. He doesn't need me in his face, and it's the same with me. But when we're together, we have enough things in common that it works."
The Truth Behind Jolene and Carl
In 1973, Dolly released her chart-topping hit, Jolene, in which she sings about confronting a young red-haired woman who she believes is sleeping around with her husband. This sparked infidelity rumours, which the singer further fuelled during Glastonbury Festival, telling fans she "put a stop" to Dean spending so much time at the bank where Jolene worked.
In an old interview with Norwegian television, Dolly later revealed that the real Jolene was actually a little girl with "red hair, green eyes, and fair skin" whom she met at one of her shows.
50 Year Wedding Anniversary Celebration
Dolly and Carl celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a vow renewal, in which she planned the celebration of her dreams at their home in Nashville. She told Rolling Stone: "I got all dressed up in the most beautiful gown you've ever seen and dressed that husband of mine up. He looked like a handsome dude out of Hollywood. We had a few family and friends around. We didn't plan anything big at all because we didn't want any kind of strain, any kind of tension, any kind of commotion, so we planned it cleverly and carefully. We just had a simple little ceremony at our chapel at our place. We just had fun with it."
"If I had it to do all over, I'd do it all over again, and we did, I'm dragging him kicking and screaming into the next 50 years."
