Country queen Dolly Parton married her husband Carl Dean back on May 30, 1966, and the pair have stayed strong ever since.
But there's also always been an air of mystery around the country couple due in large part to Carl's reluctance to step out into the limelight with his superstar wife — but did you know there was a time he was right by her side on the red carpet?
Over the years, Dolly has let slip a few of their relationship secrets and even talked Carl into a lavish celebration for their 50th wedding anniversary in 2016. As you can see from the humble photo of her original nuptials in #3, the big bash was a far cry from what they experienced back in the day.
Take a look at what really goes on behind the scenes when Dolly's at home with her husband.
And don't forget to SHARE all the awesome facts about their long marriage with your friends!
1. It Was Love At First Sight
As soon as 18-year-old Dolly made her big move to follow her dreams in Nashville, shown above photographed at an early performance at Princess Theater with the The Pick'n Grin Bluegrass Band, she met Carl while she was doing laundry at the Wishy Washy Laundromat.
There was an instant attraction between the two, but what really impressed Dolly was how Carl didn't let her good looks distract him from really getting to know her.
She revealed on her official website, "I was surprised and delighted that while he talked to me, he looked at my face (a rare thing for me). He seemed to be genuinely interested in finding out who I was and what I was about."
2. Her Label Wanted Her To Put Off Marriage
After dating for two years, she and Dean got engaged and both families were excited to plan a huge wedding — especially Carl's mother who was looking forward to a big shindig since his sister had previously eloped with her husband.
Unfortunately, as she explained to CMT, Dolly's label was urging her to wait a year before tying the knot while they worked on her steadily rising stardom. The singer was too impatient for that, and the couple ended up eloping as well in 1966.
Her popularity quickly grew when she joined forces with Porter Wagoner, shown above, that same year.
3. She Insisted On A Church Wedding
Despite the rushed aspect of their nuptials, Dolly's spiritual upbringing had her refusing a courthouse ceremony. In the same interview with CMT, she explained that she wouldn't "feel" married unless it was in a church.
So she and Carl found a Baptist church in Ringgold, Georgia, about 150 miles outside of Nashville, to avoid reporters spying on their bid day.
4. Carl Got A Bad Taste For The Limelight
Dolly is used to hitting her event appearances solo over the years. According to reports from DailyMail, her notoriously shy husband decided early on in their marriage that red carpet events weren't for him after joining her for one in 1966.
He apparently told her, "Dolly, I want you to have everything you want, and I'm happy for you, but don't you ever ask me to go to another one of them dang things again!"
5. Distance Makes Their Hearts Grow Fonder
Dolly revealed to Taste of Country that one of the most important aspects of their long marriage has been the ability for both to remain independent. She even joked with the Today Show about it: "'They say, 'How did it last 50 years?' I say, 'Forty-seven of those years I was gone.'"
She got a little more serious while discussing the subject with Taste of Country, saying, "I think that has been the best formula for us, the fact that we appreciate each other when we are together. We don’t have to be together all the time. He’s a very independent person. I’m a very independent person. He’s proud of what I am and what I do. I’m proud of him for who he is and what he does and how we do it."
6. She Does Have A Jealous Side, Though
Dolly admitted in a 2008 interview with NPR that part of one of her biggest hits, "Jolene," was inspired by a bank teller who apparently took a shine to her husband.
However, unlike the serious nature of the tune, she and Carl were much more lighthearted about the situation. She liked to tease him and say things like, "You're spending a lot of time at the bank. I don't believe we've got that kind of money."
7. Carl Is Her Complete Opposite
While spilling her relationship secrets with People magazine, Dolly said the fact that she and Carl are total opposite keeps things fresh and fun between them.
"I never know what he’s gonna say or do. He’s always surprising me."
8. She Loves Carl's Sense Of Humor
In the same chat with People magazine, Dolly revealed one of her favorite traits about her husband is that while he's what she describes as a "deep person," he also has a "warped sense of humor" that always keeps her laughing — probably even more than seeing Jimmy Fallon try on one of her wigs in the image above!
9. They Keep Things Simple
The pair love spending time taking short trips together in their RV and she admitted to Andy Cohen on his SiriusXM show that "date night" for them can be as quick and easy as driving the camper through Taco Bell for dinner.
10. They Have Grandkids And Great-Grandkids Despite Never Having Children
In another interview with People magazine, Dolly revealed that while she and Carl were never blessed their own little ones, they created a bond with several of her younger siblings that became just as close as if they were in fact their own children.
As they grew up and had kids of their own, she says the feeling continued as if they were her grandchildren, too. The youngsters even call her "Aunt Granny" while Carl is dubbed "Uncle PeePaw."
11. She Wrote A Heartfelt Song For Carl
Dolly revealed on her website that she was inspired by her love for Carl while penning the words to "From The Moon And Back" for her film Joyful Noise, which she recorded for the soundtrack with co-star Kris Kristofferson and later in a duet with Willie Nelson.
The sweet yrics include: "From here to the moon and back, who else in this world will love you like that? Love everlasting, I promise you that, from here to the moon and back."
Be sure to SHARE all of these amazing facts about Dolly and Carl with your friends!
