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Dolly Parton and her late husband, Carl Dean, enjoyed life’s simple pleasures, including disguises. Sources close to the country music star revealed that she maintained a life of normalcy in her marriage. The singer especially loved cooking a fresh breakfast for her husband every morning. She reportedly feels most grounded as a housewife, whether making sausage and gravy or serving cereal and fruit.
Parton and Dean live in a modest home near Nashville, purchased in 1999. The 3,324-square-foot main house is set on a wooded property with several smaller buildings. However, she splurges when vacationing in their $200,000 RV, which is filled with comforts, including designer items.
The RV also has a corner for Parton’s famous blond wigs in various sizes and styles. Per Radar Online, Parton also embraces a laid-back lifestyle, enjoying guilty pleasures like Cracker Barrel and Taco Bell. She often visits Walmart at night to avoid crowds, always in disguise to keep a low profile. In her words:
“If I go anywhere, I go in full disguise. I’m afraid somebody will say, ‘Oh, did you see Dolly? She looked like hell.'”
The Country Singer Revealed That Living in Her RV Reminded Her of Her Childhood
She defended the price tag of her custom home on wheels. According to her, she enjoys living in it because she grew up on tour buses. She remembered moving with her family from the mountains of east Tennessee to the flatlands of west Tennessee. According to her, the environment fits into their different moods, which they love either way. But her love for RV luxury does not mean she does not indulge in cheap thrills.
The musician does not hesitate to stay in the local Four Seasons in her area. Parton reportedly prefers the cheap hotels if she can sneak into a “Days Inn.” To Parton, one does not “need to be fancy to travel.” As for her expansive mansion, Parton constructed a chapel in the compound where she spends her quiet time. Her friend described her as an early riser who goes to the chapel to meditate and write songs.
The Late Carl Dean Influenced Some of Dolly Parton’s Best Works
While the late Dean kept a very low profile, he was dominant in his wife’s artistic journey. We previously reported that her hit song Jolene was the product of an inside joke between the couple. Dean apparently was the object of a bank teller’s romantic desires, which inspired Parton to basically warn her to back off.
Media outlets revealed that Dean also inspired Parton’s 2023 album, Rockstar. Parton mentioned their private relationship convinced some to think he was a fictional figure she made up. Dean’s introverted life has won him accolades from various corners following his passing. The bulk of the tributes eulogized him for being a supportive partner who was not threatened by his wife’s fame.
Parton and her darling husband were married for six decades. Her social media page announced that he passed away on March 3rd, 2025, in Nashville at 82. Parton and Dean’s family will hold a private ceremony to honor his memory.
Dolly Parton and Carl Dean’s intriguing love story is one for the books! May his soul rest in peace.
