Dolly Parton’s husband, Carl Dean, died on March 3, 2025, at the age of 82 after nearly 60 years of marriage
Dolly Parton revealed her ‘loneliness’ after her husband Carl Dean’s death earlier this year. He passed away on March 3, 2025 at the age of 82 after nearly 60 years of marriage. The couple had been married since 1966, after first getting together two years prior. In 2016, the pair renewed their vows to mark their 50th wedding anniversary.
At the time of his death, a statement released on behalf of the superstar to announce the tragic news about her beloved husband said: “Carl Dean, husband of Dolly Parton, passed away on March 3rd in Nashville at the age of 82. He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family attending. He was survived by his siblings Sandra and Donnie.
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“Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy. The family has asked for privacy during this difficult time.”
Almost three months on from his death, Dolly opened up about how she’s doing, revealing she ‘truly believes she’s going to see him again someday’.
The star confessed she ‘sees him every day in her memories and in her heart’ during a chat with The Independent. The 10-time Grammy winner went on to say: “I really feel his presence.
“I just try to go on, because I know I have to. And he was ill for quite a while, and part of me was at peace that he was at peace and not suffering anymore. But that still doesn’t make up for the loss and the loneliness of it.”
Dolly previously shared an update with concerned fans, saying she was “doing better than I thought I would.” Speaking to Knox News, she said: “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.” The Jolene singer also emotionally revealed that Carl had “suffered a great deal” towards the end of his life.
“I’m at peace that he’s at peace, but that don’t keep me from missing him and loving him…
“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,” she said.
Later thanking fans for their kind messages, Dolly shared: “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.”
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