Why Dolly Parton and Late Husband Carl Dean Never Had Kids

Dolly Parton and her late husband Carl Dean had a simple reason for not bringing children into their nearly 60-year marriage.

The “9 to 5” singer, 79, previously told Oprah Winfrey that not having children allowed her to work harder throughout her career. 

“Since I had no kids, and my husband was pretty independent, I had freedom,” Parton said in a November 2020 episode of Apple TV+’s The Oprah Conversation. “So I think a big part of my whole success is the fact that I was free to work.”

Dean and the country icon met long before the fame. 

Parton was just 18 years old when their paths crossed outside of a Nashville laundromat after she moved to the southern city to chase her dreams as a performer. 

The pair married two years later in 1966, but Dean stayed out of the spotlight as the “Jolene” singer rose to stardom. 

“I didn’t have children because I believed that God didn’t mean for me to have kids so everybody’s kids could be mine, so I could do things like Imagination Library because if I hadn’t had the freedom to work, I wouldn’t have done all the things I’ve done,” she explained. “I wouldn’t be in a position to do all of the things I’m doing now.”

Her Imagination Library has been operating for 30 years and was designed to mail free books to children until they begin school.

“I’ve made sacrifices, but I think, like I said, I believe what I know I’m supposed to do,” she said of her purpose. 

And when Parton wasn’t busy, she made sure to spend special moments with Dean.

“We drive through these little drive-through restaurants,” she told Parade in December 2015. “We sightsee all of Tennessee and Kentucky, the areas that we can get back home from at night. Sometimes we’ll stay over at a Days Inn [motel] where we can just pull up and sneak me in. We don’t care, as long as the bed’s clean and there’s a bathroom. That’s how we live.”

Parton announced Dean’s death on Monday, March 3 with a tribute to her longtime partner on her social media accounts. He was 82.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“Carl Dean, husband of Dolly Parton, passed away March 3rd in Nashville at the age of 82. He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family attending. He is survived by his siblings Sandra and Donnie,” the post read.

“Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy,” Parton’s post continued. “The family asks for privacy during this difficult time.”