If you built a $500 million empire, what would you do with it? Would you buy a huge mansion or choose a peaceful life away from all the noise?
We know exactly what Dolly Parton, reportedly worth $500 million, would do! The famous country singer is living a quiet life on a farm with her husband of 57 years, who prefers to stay out of the spotlight.
Want to see a glimpse of their cozy home? Keep reading!
The Love Story of Dolly Parton and Carl Dean
Dolly Parton and Carl Dean got married in Ringgold, Georgia, in May 1966, and they’ve been together for nearly sixty years. Early on, Carl decided to stay out of the public eye, and the couple chose not to have children.
Dolly has said that her husband’s choice to avoid the limelight is why their marriage has lasted so long. Their love story began when Dolly moved to Nashville in 1964 to pursue her singing and songwriting career. Dolly was 18 and Carl was 22 when they met at a laundromat, and they’ve been inseparable ever since.
In an interview with Celebrity Tonight, Dolly shared that the secret to their happy marriage is respecting Carl’s desire for privacy. She admires that he chose her over the allure of fame. Dolly said, “He’s kind of a shy, reserved guy, so he figured he’d never get any peace if he was always in the spotlight. And he was right.”
Over the years, some people have joked that Carl doesn’t exist because he’s so rarely seen in public. Dolly replied, “Being in the spotlight just isn’t who he is.” She values that Carl genuinely supports her career without any jealousy and encourages her to reach her goals. They are clearly meant to be together!
Dolly Parton, the Farmer at Heart
Dolly has shared some details about Carl’s private life. After retiring from his paving business, Carl now enjoys a peaceful life on their farm. Dolly, who has stopped going on music tours, spends a lot of time on their property, cherishing their time together.
They love traveling in their RV, stopping at drive-throughs, exploring Tennessee and Kentucky, and taking relaxing breaks at simple motels. These laid-back moments are precious to them.
Despite her wealth, Dolly treasures her time with Carl the most. They celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary at their Nashville home with a simple country dinner. Dolly cooked chicken and dumplings and served Carl’s favorite dessert, pecan ice cream.
For Reese Witherspoon’s YouTube series, Dolly even gave viewers a tour of her beautiful home. It’s even more stunning than you’d imagine!
For their 50th anniversary, Dolly and Carl wanted to renew their vows in front of their loved ones and revisit the place where they had their first honeymoon.
While Dolly might still perform at festivals and short weekend events, she knows that as she gets older, this will eventually come to an end. She’s content with her peaceful life away from the spotlight, wanting to spend more time with her family, especially Carl.
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