(AP) – Carl Dean, Dolly Parton’s devoted husband of nearly 60 years who avoided the spotlight and inspired her timeless hit “Jolene,” died Monday. He was 82.

Dolly Parton and Carl Thomas Dean were married for nearly 60 years before his death on March 3 Nicole Briese is a contributing writer at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2022.

She met her husband, Carl Thomas Dean, during her first day in Nashville, where she moved for her career. They were together for over half a century until Dean’s death on March 3, 2025.

Dolly Parton's longtime husband Carl Thomas Dean famously keeps out of the spotlight Lindsay Kimble is the Executive Editor, News at PEOPLE. She have been working at PEOPLE for seven years.