Reba McEntire Makes Surprising Comment About Dolly Parton’s Late Husband Carl Dean
Dolly Parton‘s late husband, Carl Dean, who died on Monday (March 3) at 82, was such a man of mystery that even some of the country star’s closest friends had never met him, including Reba McEntire.
In a 2024 interview with Andy Cohen, McEntire was asked if Parton is a good cook, to which the former Voice coach replied, “I don’t know. I’ve never had her food! She’s never invited me over.”
This revelation led Cohen to ask whether or not McEntire had ever met Parton’s husband, to which she answered, “No, have you?”
“No, but people really do swear he exists,” Cohen quipped. “Isn’t it incredible that she’s been able to keep this guy a secret this long?
“Absolutely!” McEntire replied.
Parton and Dean married on May 30, 1966, and the only witnesses at the wedding were Parton’s mom, the pastor, and the pastor’s wife. The couple never had children, and Dean chose to remain out of the spotlight.
“Carl and I spent many wonderful years together,” Parton said in a statement on Monday following his passing. “Words cannot do justice for the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.”
As for why Dean was never seen in public, Parton explained in a podcast interview with Jelly Roll‘s wife, Bunnie Xo, last year that he was uncomfortable in the world of show business. She recalled how he once accompanied her to the BMI Awards not long after they tied the knot, and he hated it.
“I rented a tux and begged him to go,” Parton said of the event, where she was slated to receive her first-ever Songwriter of the Year award. “And he did, and oh, he was so uncomfortable the whole night.”
After the couple returned home, the “9 to 5” singer remembered, “He said, ‘Look now, I want you to do everything you want to do, and I wish you the best, but don’t ever ask me to go to another one of these damn things, because I’m not doing it.’ And he never did.”
“I respected that,” she added. “I didn’t know he was gonna be that uneasy.”
In 2021, Parton shared a throwback photo of them together, noting how Dean was her biggest supporter behind the scenes. “Find you a partner who will support you like my Carl Dean does!” she captioned the post.
View this post on Instagram
Speaking with the Associated Press in 1984, the “Jolene” singer joked, “A lot of people say there’s no Carl Dean, that he’s just somebody I made up to keep other people off me.”
Conversation22 Comments
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P
I feel sad for Dolly Parton because I didn’t know her husband had passed on this week All I know he’s in good hands and in her beautiful heart. I’ll always gonna pray for her every single day my heart aches for her and there will always be a Carl dean in her heart, if I met Dolly Parton in person I’d tell her it’s going to be okay and he will be in good hands and he will always love her forever
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G
gag me with a spoon
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C
Unnecessary comment.
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R
Then keep scrolling.
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C
Particularly if you think you find it when there is absolutely no evidence or reason to think you found it as is the case here. This woman is nearly 80 years old and no other women claim to be her lover. You should be ashamed of yourself.
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G
Just respect the fact that she lost the love of her life. She honored his wishes just as he honored hers. That’s love.
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V
I feel so bad for dolly losing her husband. I know it hurts and know god will be there and always remember dean is still with you.If you look around thinking you seen him or things happen and you think your going crazy believe me your not. My mom passed for like 3 years things happened and it hard to explain but i loved it. It still happens Not as often. U have alot of support and i know its not the same as losing the one person who was there for you no matter what. My heart goes out to you Dolly it truly does. Takes a special couple to be married a long time and that was the 2 of you.
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B
I find it very easy to understand why someone, even the husband of a celebrity, would want no part of the Hollywood scene. And Dolly was a good wife to understand her husband\'s discomfort and respect his wishes.
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That tired line is as transparent as your outdated prejudice. When you look in the mirror what do you see? It’s a lie, because you and your brethren are hard to hide and therefore, not hard to find. BTW: I would have loved to have seen you say that directly to Carl\'s face. See what that earned yea. RIP Carl and when you\'re looking down, start with this one first.
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My husband and I love Dolly and we\'re sorry for her loss. We will keep her in our prayers. She\'s such a beautiful person.
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Who ever commented about his shirt should be ashamed of their self. Who would even look at his shirt to me is just
looking for something to gripe about. I would never even think of something like that. Let the man Rest in Peace and you should say a prayer of forgiveness
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G
This is not the place to post that,!
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Right! I clicked the 3 little dots on the right side and reported it. It will be deleted.
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O
That\'s censorship!
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C
Censorship only applies to the government; a privately owned company can do what it wishes.
I noticed it let your silly handle through, so it doesn\'t censor much.
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What would you know about it!? When I clicked on the Report button it disappeared immediately. It was a scam ad offering people jobs that had no place on this feed. Kinda like that handle of yours.
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R
Anybody else think the shirt he is wearing in the photo is suspicious? Welcome to 2025.
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O
You\'re totally correct - for whatever reason they covered his shirt.
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G
Why is it surprising that Reba McEntire had never met Dolly\'s husband?
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P
You don\'t find it odd that they had a close friendship for over 40 years, but Reba never met Dolly\'s husband? I find it very odd. I could see him not wanting to hang out, but how could they have never met?
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You should know, you been doing it your whole life
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B
Dolly generates love and warmth with every appearance she gives. Now is the time to respect her privacy and let her grieve the loss of her beloved husband.
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