Dolly Parton and her husband, Carl Deanthey have been married for more than 50 years, but they are rarely seen together—and that’s how he likes it.

The country icon first met his future wife when he moved to Nashville in 1964 to start his music career. They tied the knot within two years of meeting each other, but as Parton’s star rose, Dean drifted apart.

They celebrated their 50th anniversary in May 2016.

“We’re good partners,” Parton only to be told Us Weekly in January 2022. “We all love jokes. … We can solve any problem and any problem, joke and not let it get rich, but we respect each other and we love each other. We got lucky, let’s say so.

He added, “You know, many people can keep a marriage (be strong) if you put in a little effort. Some people just get lazy and lazy with unnecessary things, like leaving the toilet seat. And if that’s too difficult, then you’re in trouble.”

Keep scrolling to see more of Parton and Dean’s romance: