Parton met Carl Dean in 1964, they got married in 1966, and the rest is history.
Even with a marriage this long, though, it’s easy to overlook.
Dean is notoriously private and is almost never seen in public or even in photos with Parton.
Still, the two are happily married and will likely remain that way.
Through it all, they’ve remained strong and have one of the longest lasting marriages in Hollywood.
Take a look at some of the things you probably didn’t know about Parton’s marriage.
He seemed to be genuinely interested in finding out who I was and what I was about."
Dean made such a good impression that the two ended upgetting marriedtwo years later.
My second thought was, ‘Lord she’s good lookin’.'
And that was the day my life began.
I wouldn’t trade the last 50 years for nothing on this earth."
and there’s a lot of truth to that.
Dean liked the attention and kept going back to the bank teller.
Parton started teasing him about it, and it became a joke between them.
So it’s actually “an innocent song,” according to Parton.
She got the name “Jolene” from a red-headed fan she once met, and it stuck.
Parton has denied that, but she has revealed that she had an emotional affair.
Maybe I didn’t.
Maybe I won’t.
And it’s none of your damn business!"
We do whatever’s good.
We have a good time."
He’s very private, and I’ve always respected that for him and about him."
Now we don’t have kids to worry about.'"
He looked like a handsome dude out of Hollywood."
They didn’t plan anything too elaborate, saying they didn’t want any “commotion.”
She added that she was “shocked” Dean agreed to something so uncharacteristically public.
I thought, ‘Well I’m going to write about mine and Carl’s relationship.'"
How did the name come up?
That person would beJennifer Aniston.
TheFriendsalum starred in the movieDumplin’, which featured a soundtrack of Parton’s songs.
So what did Aniston think about all this?
“And then I laughed my (butt) off.
That’s Dolly.”
We don’t care, as long as the bed’s clean and there’s a bathroom.
That’s how we live."
They like to see some history or just places that are “exceptionally beautiful.”
However, they never stay away for long.
She explained, “He wants to be mostly around the house.”
She said, “He doesn’t like to do that.
He gets nervous seeing me perform.
It’s almost like seeing your kid in a recital.
He’s afraid I’ll mess up.”
I never know what he’s gonna say or do.
He’s always surprising me."
Speaking withThe Guardianin 2014, she said that Dean is not a musician or very musical at all.
He’s not in show business.
He’s not resentful of any of that."
Still, despite their differences, they get along really well.
Parton added, “He loves to hear about the things I do.
I love to hear about the things he does.
So we enjoy each other’s company.
We get along good.
He’s got a great sense of humor.
We’ve just been best buddies and best friends and, evidently, it’s working!”
But as it turns out, she uses her husband’s name in private.
She also explained that she signs all of her contracts with the name “Dean.”
He never asked me to."
She toldThe Guardian, “But then I’m also Dolly Parton.
I’m Dolly Parton Dean.
I’m myself!”
She joked, “Anyway, if I had chosen the name Dolly Dean…
I’d have been Double D.
