Back in the day, Dolly Parton would cohost an extravagant annual Christmas bash in Beverly Hills, dazzling everyone with her charm and elegance. "It was a who's who of Hollywood," Dolly reminisces. "One memorable year, a full church choir greeted guests as they entered, filling the staircase with their voices. Everyone joined in and sang along. It was magical."
Putting Family First
These days, Dolly doesn't visit Beverly Hills as often. The legendary icon, though still active, has decided to stay closer to home to care for her beloved husband, Carl Dean, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease three years ago. "I've spent my whole life touring and traveling, but it takes a toll," Dolly shares. Her final headlining concert tour, in 2016, featured 60 shows. "Now, I prefer to stay close to home with my husband," she says with a warm smile.
A Lifetime of Independence
Dolly, 76, and Carl, 80, met in Nashville in 1964 when she was just 18. Despite their long-lasting marriage, they’ve always led independent lives. "Carl's a country boy who loves working on tractors and paving roads," Dolly explains. "He enjoys his privacy and has never been one for interviews. I never pushed him into the spotlight."
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Though the couple never had children, they cherished their quiet moments together. They'd often take their RV on long road trips across America, enjoying national parks, antique shops, and barbecue joints. Dolly would leave behind her wigs and makeup, blending into the crowd. "Carl makes me laugh all the time," she fondly recalls. "That's what's kept us together all these years."
A New Chapter
Carl's health issues, including high blood pressure and a weak heart, have brought changes to their marriage. "They're not as physically active as they once were," an insider reveals. "Carl relies more on Dolly and their staff these days, but Dolly says it's better than the alternative."
Dolly feels it's her responsibility to be there for Carl after all the years he supported her. "We're getting older, and I don't want to be gone for weeks at a time," she explains. "Something could happen, and I wouldn't feel right about that. I wouldn't want to leave a tour if someone at home needed me."
Committed to making every day special, Dolly starts decorating for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. "There's a festive tree in every room, holiday lights, wreaths in the windows, and a cross on top of our small chapel," she says. "The holidays inspire creativity in me because they make me happy. Even if you don’t believe in Jesus, the spirit is about giving, tolerance, understanding, and acceptance."
Faith and Music
With Carl's illness, Dolly leans on her faith more than ever. "It keeps her going," the insider notes. "Her love for music, performing, and her fans also gives her strength."
Though Dolly may not write songs daily, her mind is always buzzing with ideas. "I've worked through every problem I've ever had by writing songs," she shares. "Everything I experience or witness inspires me to write for others."
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In honor of Carl, Dolly is working on a rock-oriented album. "When I got nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I thought, 'What better time than now?'" she says. "My husband loves hard rock, and I've always wanted to create an album just for him."
Christmas Traditions
If Carl feels up for it, Dolly invites family and friends over on Christmas Eve. They enjoy spiked punch, holiday music, and Hallmark Channel movies. "They spend Christmas Day at home, just the two of them, and Dolly loves it that way," the insider says.
Dolly enjoys cooking for Carl, with homemade chicken and dumplings being a favorite. "Carl has a sweet tooth and looks forward to holiday fruit cake and pie," the insider adds. "She'll order his favorite pie and just sit with him and talk. Sometimes, they don't need to talk at all. Just being together is enough."
At home, Dolly and Carl watch movies and take walks when Carl feels up to it. "She doesn't need to do anything special. Carl knows Dolly loves him," the insider concludes. "He used to joke that she wouldn't have stuck around this long if she didn't. Dolly's finally taking some downtime for herself, and she's cherishing every moment with Carl."
