The country music legend Dolly Parton tragically lost her husband Carl Dean back in March. He passed away at the age of 82 after being married to Parton for 59 years.
Now, an insider is claiming that Parton is still struggling nine months after Dean’s death. Indeed, according to this source, Parton “may never recover” from this loss.
Parton Struggling With Dean’s Death
“She’s desperately trying to rally herself back to work, but it is very difficult,” the insider told Radar Online. “The loss is hitting her so hard. Her friends are very worried.”
“Carl’s death knocked the wind right out of her. She’s trying to rally herself, but most days she looks lost,” the source continued. “Carl was her rock. She depended on him more than people realized.”
Parton recently made a prerecorded video appearance to accept an honorary Oscar for her humanitarian work at the Governors Awards. According to the source, the fact that Parton didn’t appear at this event in person is extremely telling.
“The whole night was built around celebrating her,” the insider lamented. “She was so sad to miss it because it is a huge honor, but she simply could not handle going, which tells you just how bad it is.”
Another source spoke out to say that Parton has “zero interest” in the other men who are trying to court her.
“She says no man could ever fill the space Carl left behind, and she has resigned herself to being alone, in that sense, for the rest of her life,” this insider said. “Dolly is a fighter, but she’s not superhuman. This loss is profound. Her friends can’t help but worry that she’ll never recover.”
Dean Passes Away
Dean died on March 3, 2025 at the age of 82. Though he was married to one of the most famous women in the world, Dean was an incredibly private person. Weeks after his death, Parton revealed that he’d actually been “ill for quite a while” before his death. However, she kept this a secret from her fans, protecting Dean’s privacy until the end.
“I really feel his presence. I just try to go on, because I know I have to,” Parton told The Independent in May. “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.”
Parton went on to talk about how her strong Christian faith has helped her come to terms with her husband’s death.
“I am a person of faith, and I truly believe that I’m going to see him again someday,” she explained.
“And I see him every day in my memories and in my heart, and in all the things that we used to do and all the things that we’ve built together,” Parton continued. “You just kind of have to learn to kind of make new plans – but that’s the hardest part.”
This has clearly been an extremely difficult year for Parton. Please join us in saying a prayer for her as she continues to come to terms with this devastating loss.
Rest in peace, Carl Dean.