Dolly Parton and Carl Dean’s Love Story: A Timeline

Dolly Parton and Carl Dean’s love story began at the Wishy Washy Laundromat in Nashville back in 1964. In a 1976 interview with The New York Times, the iconic country singer reminisced about their first encounter.

Parton shared, “I was in such a hurry to get here – and after I’d put my clothes in the machine, I started walkin’ down the street, just lookin’ at my new home, and this guy hollered at me, and I waved.” It was then that she met Carl, her future husband.

Dean, on the other hand, was smitten from the moment he laid eyes on Parton. He confessed, “My first thought was, ‘I’m gonna marry that girl.’ My second thought was, ‘Lord she’s good lookin.’ And that was the day my life began.”

Their relationship blossomed quickly, with Dean making it a point to visit Parton every day. They would spend time together on the porch, with Dean even introducing Parton to his parents early on in their courtship.

Parton fondly recalled the day when Dean took her to meet his family, saying, “That was my first chance to go anywhere with Carl, and he drove me straight to his folks’ house and introduced me to his mother and daddy.” She added, “Cause he said he knew right the minute he saw me that that’s the one he wanted.”

Over the years, Dolly Parton and Carl Dean’s love has stood the test of time, with Dean choosing to stay out of the spotlight while supporting his wife’s successful career. Their enduring bond serves as a testament to true love and commitment.