Couples

Find Out Why Dolly Parton Once Left Her Husband Carl Dean

Published

11 years ago

August 29, 2015

Closer Staff

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 11: Dolly Parton speaks to the media during a press conference at Rod Laver Arena on February 11, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

On the island of Oahu in Hawaii, there is a particular oceanfront home blessed with sweet tropical breezes and stunning views of Diamond Head that some locals still call the Dolly Parton Estate, because it once belonged to the country superstar.

Dolly actually purchased the lush plantation-style home in the Hawaii Kai neighborhood in 1984, as a vacation getaway for her and her husband, Carl Dean — but things didn’t work out that way.

dolly parton

Dolly in 1984.

“Carl traveled to Hawaii once with Dolly and basically said, ‘Uh-uh, not for me,’” recalls a longtime friend. “He never went back. Dolly was heartbroken about it.” Adds an insider: “She’s very spiritual, and the landscape, the ocean breezes and the lushness really captured her imagination. She would grow angry that Carl couldn’t see that.”

Between her dreams of being part of Hollywood and her love of her island getaway, Dolly was determined to try to make a life out West. “Dolly had basically set up home in LA and had a vacation spot in Hawaii,” adds the friend, “but Carl stayed put in Tennessee, refusing to visit either one of her homes. I think Dolly began to see Carl’s indifference as a sign that he no longer loved her — which wasn’t true.”

To read the full story on Dolly and Carl, pick up the new issue of Closer Weekly, on newsstands now!