What would you do if you’d built an empire of half a billion dollars? Would you splash your cash on a massive mansion, or would you opt for a quieter life away from all the hustle and bustle of life?
Well, we sure know what Dolly Parton (who is worth an estimated $500 million) would do! The famed country singer and her husband of 57 years – who has chosen to stay out of the spotlight unlike his wife – are apparently spending their days on a quiet farm.
Dolly Parton and Carl Dean’s love story
Dolly Parton and her husband, Carl Dean, have been married for almost six decades since their May 1966 wedding in Ringgold, Georgia. The couple chose early on in their union not to have children, with Dean also deciding to keep a low profile and stay out of the public eye.
Parton has said that her marriage to Dean has lasted so long because of her husband’s choice to stay away from her career. Their love story began in 1964 when Parton moved to Nashville to pursue her singing and songwriting career. They met at a laundromat when Parton was 18 and Dean was 22, and they haven’t parted ways since.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Parton said that the secret to their marriage was simply making sure her husband kept his privacy and that he wasn’t exposed unnecessarily to the entertainment industry. She said that Dean had chosen her, not her career, and so she respected his desire to lead a quieter, more private life.
Over the years, many people have hilariously speculated that Dean didn’t exist, simply because he’s only made a handful of public appearances. In response, Parton said that being in the limelight is “just not who he is. He’s like, a quiet, reserved person and he figured if he ever got out there in that, he’d never get a minute’s peace and he’s right about that.”
Beyond this, the pair also have a mutual respect for each other, and Parton has said that she loves the fact her husband isn’t jealous of her and is actually curious about her work. She also loves that he encourages her to achieve her goals. Clearly, they’re perfect for each other!
Dolly Parton lives on a farm
Parton shed light on her husband’s life away from the public eye. Dean has retired from his paving business and enjoys a quiet life on their farm. The couple spends lots of time together on their property, with Parton frequently spending her time there since she has stopped going on music tours.
Their quiet life at home includes outings in their RV, heading to the drive-through, exploring Tennessee and Kentucky, and staying at clean motels for restful breaks. They cherish these simple moments together.
Despite Parton’s substantial net worth, she values quality time with Dean above all else. They celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary with a simple country dinner at their Nashville home, enjoying a homecooked meal prepared by Parton, which included chicken and dumplings (as well as Dean’s favorite, pecan ice cream).
Parton even gave viewers a glimpse into her lovely home for Reese Witherspoon’s YouTube series, and it’s more gorgeous than you could imagine!
Parton and Dean had previously said that they wanted to renew their vows on their 50th anniversary, with family and friends in attendance. Afterwards, they planned to revisit the place where they had their original honeymoon.
While Parton may still perform at festivals and short weekend shows, she knows that this will eventually come to a halt as she ages. She wants to spend more time with her family, especially Dean, so she is content with their quiet little farm life away from the limelight.
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