Carl Dean, Dolly Parton’s husband of 58 years, died on March 3 at 82 years old

Dolly Parton and Carl Dean.Credit : 

Dolly Parton/Instagram

Dolly Parton is remembering the love of her life.

The “Jolene” singer spoke to Entertainment Tonight in a video shared on May 21, and mentioned how she is doing following the death of her husband of almost 60 years, Carl Dean, earlier this year.

“Of course I miss him,” Parton, 79, said of Dean. “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 added, “I’m holding up, I’m doing as well as one can after 60 years, being with and loving somebody.”

To honor him, she released a new song dedicated to him. “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 told the outlet of the emotional song “If You Hadn’t Been There.”

Dolly Parton and Carl Dean.Courtesy of Dolly Parton

Parton also talked about the bittersweetness of losing someone she loves. “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 also thanked fans for their condolences and said she couldn’t “believe the amount of support” from around the world she received with flowers and cards and phone calls.

Dean’s death was announced by Parton on March 3 on Instagram. “Carl Dean, husband of Dolly Parton, passed away March 3rd in Nashville at the age of 82. He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family attending. He is survived by his siblings Sandra and Donnie,” the post read.

“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 statement continued. “The family asks for privacy during this difficult time.”

Parton and Dean met in 1964 outside of a laundromat in Nashville. They wed two years later. Throughout their 58-year marriage, he remained out of the spotlight amid Parton’s constant presence in the spotlight.

Dolly Parton in Nashville in November 2023.Jason Kempin/Getty

Though he kept things private, he did make a rare comment about Parton in 2016. “My first thought was ‘I’m gonna marry that girl,’ ” Dean told Entertainment Tonight about meeting the “9 to 5” singer.

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“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.”