Dolly Parton Offers Rare Insight Into Her Marriage with Carl Dean

Dolly Parton has celebrated nearly 60 years of marriage to Carl Dean. Recently, she provided E! News with a unique glimpse into their life and upcoming holiday traditions.

The "Jolene" singer first met Carl Dean outside a laundromat in 1966. Reflecting on their six-decade relationship, Dolly shared their distinctive approach to gift-giving during the holidays.

"We've never bought big fancy presents for each other," she told E! News in the Dec. 5 episode. "I collect items throughout the year that I think he would like. Then, I give them to him."

Dolly's gifts usually relate to Carl's interests and hobbies. "He loves to work over at the barn," she stated. "He enjoys working outdoors, too. So, I often buy him various tools."

Similarly, Carl always selects gifts that align with Dolly's passions. "He knows I love cooking," she remarked. "He often buys me kitchen items, like new pots, pans, or gadgets he sees on TV that he thinks I would enjoy."

Dolly emphasized their approach to gifts. "We just choose practical things and don’t get too worked up about it."

This holiday season, Dolly, who just released her children’s book Billy the Kid Comes Home for Christmas, has arranged time to be with Carl. "I've never missed Christmas," she noted. "I schedule everything in advance and say, 'Do not book me for the week of Christmas, as I must be with my family.'"

Describing the holidays as a "sacred time," Dolly looks forward to spending this Christmas surrounded by family and friends. "I'm going to visit my loved ones in East Tennessee," she explained. "After that, I’ll spend some time with Carl's family, and of course, we'll enjoy plenty of food."

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