Why Dolly Parton kept relationship with late husband private after she made rare marriage comment

Dolly Parton once opened up about why she kept her relationship with her late husband, Carl Dean, private after she made a rare marriage comment.

The 79-year-old '9 to 5' singer, who tied the knot with Dean back in 1966, sadly lost her husband this week with a social media statement sharing he'd died in Nashville surrounded by his family.

Despite being wed for decades, the pair never decided to have children - something which Parton says gave her 'freedom' and 'independence', crediting a large part of her success down to being 'free to work'.

And, despite being the public eye for yonks now, Parton has managed to keep her personal life extremely private.

Speaking on The Kelleigh Bannen Show back in 2022, the country icon opened up about why setting boundaries was so crucial for her and Dean to enjoy a private life while she worked in the spotlight.

When discussing how she figured out which parts of her life to keep away from the public eye, Parton explained it was some very wise words from her mother which helped.

"I learned early on. And I think my mama told me when I was young, 'Always keep something back for you. You can give what you’ve got to give, but don’t give it all away. Always keep something for you'," she said.

The 'Jolene' hit-maker continued: "I’ve known how to keep my husband private. It's just natural to me to protect the things and the people I love and to protect my own privacy."

"There’s a part that belongs to God and to me. It's a sacred place that just is mine and God’s, and I've known how to do that because I think God has directed that. I pray that also that God will give me enough to share and enough to spare when it comes to my money but also to myself. Let me share everything I can but let me keep me."

Dolly Parton and her late husband, Carl Dean, tied the knot back in 1966 (Instagram/@dollyparton)

According to a statement posted by Parton to Instagram on Tuesday (4 March), her husband died in Nashville this week surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his brother and sister Donnie and Sandra, and wife Parton, all of whom have planned a private burial, only to be attended by his immediate family.

She explained: "Carl Dean, husband of Dolly Parton, passed away on March 3rd in Nashville at the age of 82. He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family attending. He was survived by his siblings Sandra and Donnie."

Discussing their bond, Parton added: "Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can't do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years."

She also concluded her statement by expressing her gratitude: "Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.

"The family has asked for privacy during this difficult time."