Dolly Parton has reportedly decided to pause her career to take care of her 81-year-old husband, Carl Dean.
The couple have been married for nearly 60 years, but unfortunately, in recent times, Dean has had to endure a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.
The National Enquirer has revealed that Dolly, 77, who usually tours year-round, is taking a break to prioritize her husband's and their family's wellbeing.
According to an insider, "Dolly wants to make sure they enjoy every last minute they have together."
Although she has been delighting listeners for years, not much is known about the marriage of "Jolene" singer and her husband.
He has kept a low profile - an enigma to those who adore his wife's melodic tunes. On the other hand, she has accumulated a sizable fortune of $650 million thanks to her country music success.
In 1966, Dolly and Carl solidified their relationship by taking their vows to be married; Parton being 20-years-old then, and Dean was three years older.
Unfortunately, in 2019, it became apparent that Carl had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's due to chronic heart problems and high blood pressure.
After numerous successful tours and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nomination, Dolly chose to take it slow and focus on her marriage. She said of the decision: "I like to stay a little closer to home with my husband.
As reported by Closer in 2022, those close to Dolly Parton paint a picture of her as fiercely protective of her romantic relationship. This is said to be particularly true in the wake of health issues experienced by her partner.
"Though not as energetic as before, Carl is still quite content. He's taken a step back from the go-go-go mentality he used to have and now relies on Dolly and the staff more often."
As one source said, "It may be slowing down, but that's far better than the alternative."
The "Islands In The Stream" singer expressed how important it was to cherish the remaining years with Dean, given they had spent a lifetime together.
Dolly cooked up some of his favorite dishes, like chicken and dumplings, to demonstrate her love for him.
As time passes, Dolly has expressed her reservations about being away from home for long periods. "I don't want to be gone for four or five weeks at a time," she commented.
"Something could happen, and I would not feel proper about that, having to leave the tour abruptly in case someone needed me back home."
The star also mentions how terrible it would make her feel to have disappointed her fans this way.
Still, it's best to take the National Enquirer's report with a grain of salt.
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