Carl Dean, Dolly Parton's devoted husband of nearly 60 years who avoided the spotlight and inspired her timeless hit “Jolene,” died Monday. He was 82. According to a statement provided to The Associated Press by Parton's publicist,

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 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.