Dolly Parton Reveals the Secret to Her Happy 52-Year Marriage

In Hollywood and the entertainment world, relationships and marriages often don’t last long. The number of celebrities who’ve only been married once are few and far between.

Country legend Dolly Parton belongs on the short list. But how does she do it?

“Dolly Parton and her husband will be celebrating 53 years of marriage come May, a major accomplishment for anyone these days — but an even bigger one given her life in the public eye,” The UK’s Daily Mail reports. “The 72-year-old met Carl Thomas Dean when she was just 18, and the pair tied the knot in 1966.”

Parton’s record company didn’t want her getting married, preferring to keep the singer unwed. So Parton and Dean eloped instead. The couple met at a laundromat on Parton’s first day in Nashville. He was 21 and she was 18. It’s an amazing story.

But how did these two stay happily married in the showbiz world for so long?

Dolly and Dean’s love story

‘My husband and I have a great relationship. We’ve been together most of our lives,” Parton said. How they keep things great is he doesn’t enjoy the spotlight and she’s always traveling.

“I always joke and laugh when people ask me what’s the key to my long marriage and lasting love. I always say “Stay gone!” and there’s a lot of truth to that. I travel a lot, but we really enjoy each other when we’re together and the little things we do,” Parton said.

The couple also tries to keep as low a public profile as possible when together, preferring to go on private mini camping trips, picnics and only select local restaurants where they can go relatively undetected.

“We know a few little places we can go without being bothered. He only likes to go places where he can be comfortable!” Parton said.

Their marriage is a true love story for the ages.

And who knew Dolly Parton’s mega-hit “I will always love you” was autobiographical!