• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Culture

Dolly Parton advises to treat marriage as 'a business'

4:26
Dolly Parton reflects on her incredible career
John Lamparski/Getty Images
ByCarena Liptak
September 03, 2020, 5:27 PM

In conjunction with the release of her cover of "I Will Always Love You," singer Gabby Barrett hopped on a video chat with Dolly Parton recently to talk life, love and all things music.

When she wasn't picking Parton's brain for professional tips, Barrett asked the legend for advice on maintaining a happy, long-lasting marriage.

Parton said she and her husband, Carl Dean, have been going strong for 54 years, in part because they have a respect for each other's differences.

Editor’s Picks

Dolly Parton has the best comment about supporting the Black Lives Matter movement

  • Aug 14, 2020

Dolly Parton is releasing her 1st holiday album in three decades

  • Aug 13, 2020

Dolly Parton wants to recreate iconic Playboy cover for her 75th birthday

  • Mar 09, 2020

"He's pretty much a loner and a homebody, and I'm a gypsy. But when I'm home, I love that," she explained. "We don't do the same thing so it gives us different stuff to talk about. He doesn't get involved in my business, and I don't in his, so we have our own little world that we create for ourselves."

Related Articles

MORE: See Dolly Parton through the years

Parton added that she and Dean have "never fought," but that doesn't mean maintaining a good relationship comes easily all the time.

"You have to work at anything. Marriage is a business, too, and you got to look at it like that," she said. "You got to make the right decisions for all the little things that come up."

Last year, Barrett married fellow country singer Cade Foehner. She is currently expecting their first child, a baby girl.

WATCH NOW: Dolly Parton advises to treat marriage as 'a business'

VIDEO: Dolly Parton advises to treat marriage as 'a business'
18:36
The country star sat with Gabby Barrett to discuss songwriting, love and all things music.

Editor’s Picks

Dolly Parton has the best comment about supporting the Black Lives Matter movement

  • Aug 14, 2020

Dolly Parton is releasing her 1st holiday album in three decades

  • Aug 13, 2020

Dolly Parton wants to recreate iconic Playboy cover for her 75th birthday

  • Mar 09, 2020

Up Next in Culture—

Eric Dane steps out for 1st red carpet since announcing ALS diagnosis

June 19, 2025

Shop the books seen on 'GMA' for your next read

June 19, 2025

Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni's 'It Ends with Us' legal battle: A timeline

June 19, 2025

Barbara Walters' success was fueled by personal struggles, documentary director says

June 19, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News