Dolly Parton is honoring her late husband Carl Dean, who passed away on March 3, 2025, at the age of 82, in a deeply personal manner. Despite maintaining a largely private relationship over her illustrious career, Parton is now sharing heartfelt stories about their life together, including amusing anecdotes about Dean's undercover antics at her theme park, Dollywood.
In a candid interview with Knox News on March 17, 2025, Parton opened up about coping with the loss. "I’m doing better than I thought I would. I’ve been with him 60 years. So, I’m going to have to relearn some of the things that we’ve done. But I’ll keep him always close," she shared. Parton expressed her pain as well, stating, "It’s a hole in my heart, you know, but we’ll fill that up with good stuff, and he’ll still always be with me.”
The couple, who married on May 30, 1966, never had children—a choice that was not without contemplation. Reflecting on their union, Parton once shared, "When my husband and I were dating, and then when we got married, we just assumed we would have kids... but it didn’t turn out that way." This sentiment underscores the strength of the bond they cultivated over decades.
Parton recently took to Instagram to express her love in a post dated March 7, 2025, describing Dean as the star of her life story. "I fell in love with Carl Dean when I was 18 years old. We have spent 60 precious and meaningful years together. Like all great love stories, they never end. They live on in memory and song. He will always be the star of my life story, and I dedicate this song to him" she wrote, emphasizing the significance of their enduring relationship.
Adding to the emotional weight of these reflections, Parton was honored during the Opry 100: A Live Celebration at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, just weeks after Dean's passing. A tribute featuring Lady A, Reba McEntire, and Carrie Underwood included a powerful rendition of her iconic ballad, "I Will Always Love You," which resonated deeply with her during this trying time.
"I have not stopped crying over the beautiful tribute of ‘I Will Always Love You’ on the 100th Anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry show," Parton said in a statement shared on her social media on March 21, 2025. "All those beautiful voices singing my song as a tribute to my husband Carl… the emotion was beyond words. I have cried enough to wash a great deal of the pain away so thanks to all of you beautiful people that helped make that possible. I also will always love you.”
In these moments of grief, Parton relies heavily on her faith, sharing with Closer Weekly that her spirituality has been a guiding force throughout her life. "Everybody’s got that spiritual background," she observed. "I think that good neighbors and faith and trust in God—and in one another—helps everyone pull together as a team. You got to pull as a community, as a family. That’s the only way you can keep going.”
Furthermore, Parton emphasized, “A belief in God is essential. Our grandparents believed in anointing people with olive oil and praying over them if they were ill, so if we were injured, we were prayed for.” Her faith even contributed to the strength of their marriage, with prayer playing a large role in their daily lives and their decision to build a chapel on their farm in Brentwood, Tennessee.
After sharing the news of Dean's passing, Parton extended her gratitude to fans and loved ones. "Thank you for all the messages, cards, and flowers that you’ve sent to pay your respects for the loss of my beloved husband Carl. I can’t reach out personally to each of you but just know it has meant the world to me. He is in God’s arms now and I am okay with that. I will always love you," she penned on social media.
As she navigates through this profound loss, Dolly Parton continues to celebrate the legacy of Carl Dean, channeling her love and memories into her music and the heartfelt connections she fosters with her audience. Her journey through grief is not only the story of a beloved public figure but also a universal experience of love, loss, and unwavering faith in cherished memories.
