VERY SAD NEWS: Three hours ago, in Tennessee, USA, Rachel Parton shared with the news that her sister Dolly seemed optimistic, but no, since Carl Dean’s passing, Dolly Parton has been visiting the church regularly and sometimes appears to be pulled into a black hole, she added…

Dolly Parton Reflects on Loss of Husband Carl Dean: “I Will Miss Him Forever”

Dolly Parton is continuing to grieve the loss of her beloved husband, Carl Dean, who passed away on March 3 at the age of 82. The couple, who shared 58 years of marriage, were inseparable throughout their long relationship, and Parton recently opened up about the profound pain and bittersweet emotions she’s experiencing following his death.

In a video shared with Entertainment Tonight on May 21, Parton, 79, spoke about the difficulty of adjusting to life without Carl, acknowledging the deep emptiness she feels. “Of course I miss him,” Parton said. “I’m having to really go through a lot trying to figure out how to be without him because I was with him for so long.” She continued, “I’m holding up, I’m doing as well as one can after 60 years, being with and loving somebody.”

In tribute to her late husband, Parton released a song titled “If You Hadn’t Been There,” which she described as a heartfelt tribute to Carl. “When Carl did pass away, I thought, ‘I gotta do something so I’m just gonna put that song out as a tribute to him,’” she explained. The song reflects the emotional rollercoaster of grief, expressing both the sorrow of his loss and the comfort in knowing he is at peace.

Parton also shared the complex emotions that accompany losing someone so close. “He did suffer a lot for the last few years, and there’s a part of me that’s happy he’s at peace and at rest. But then of course, there’s that part of me that will miss him forever and long for him every day. For the rest of my life, I’m sure,” she confessed, showing the deep pain that lingers even as she finds solace in his peace.

In addition to sharing her grief, Parton expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support she received from fans and loved ones. “I can’t believe the amount of support,” she said, noting the flowers, cards, and phone calls from around the world that have helped lift her spirits during this difficult time.

Parton made the announcement of Carl’s death on March 3 through an Instagram post, describing their long and happy marriage. “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years,” she wrote. She also thanked fans for their prayers and sympathy, adding that the family had requested privacy during their mourning.

The couple first met in 1964 outside of a laundromat in Nashville, and they married two years later. Carl Dean, who preferred to stay out of the public eye while Parton’s career soared, rarely spoke about his private life. However, in a 2016 interview with Entertainment Tonight, he fondly recalled their first meeting. “My first thought was ‘I’m gonna marry that girl,’” Dean said. “My second thought was, ‘Lord, she’s good lookin’. And that was the day my life began. I wouldn’t trade the last 50 years for nothing on this earth.”

While Carl Dean may have stayed out of the spotlight, his influence on Dolly’s life and career was immeasurable. His passing marks the end of an era for Parton, but as she navigates life without him, her love for him and the memories they shared will continue to guide her forward.