In the entertainment world, it’s rare to see a couple that is able to go the distance and remain married to each other for many years. That’s why it’s so surprising that country music legend Dolly Parton has been married to her husband Carl Thomas Dean for 52 years!

Dolly met Carl when she was only 18, and she married him in 1966. Recently, Dolly opened up about the secret to her long marriage.

“It’s been a good 50 years and I don’t know how many more years we’ll have left,” she said. “My husband and I have a great relationship. We’ve been together most of our lives.”

Dolly went on to explain that one of the secrets to their marriage is that her husband has never liked to be in the spotlight.

“I always joke and laugh when people ask me what’s the key to my long marriage and lasting love,” she said. “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.”

“When I met my husband, he wanted to take me out to dinner. He pulled up to the drive-in window and got our food at McDonald’s,” Dolly said. “We know a few little places we can go without being bothered. He only likes to go places where he can be comfortable!”

Though the pair never had children, Dolly doesn’t seem to have any regrets about this.

“‘Now that I’m older, I realize I didn’t have kids of my own, so everybody’s kids could be mine,” the singer said. “I [want to] empower children and give them confidence.”