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.
In a new interview, Parton is opening up about his death in a big way. She’s also revealing the song of hers that “took on a new meaning” after his passing.
Parton Opens Up About Dean’s Death
Earlier this year, Parton collaborated with Zac Brown on the song “Butterfly.” Last week, they sat down with Interview Magazine to discuss the song. Brown explained that the song was initially inspired by his own children.
“They’re kind of in a bubble when they’re at home, and they don’t really know what real struggle looks like yet, but it’s coming as they’re hopping out of the nest, one after the other,” Brown said. “But I wanted something that put some hope into the world and gave people a little bit of guidance to just hold on until those storms pass.”
That’s when Parton chimed in to say that the song “took on a new meaning” after losing Dean.
“It means something different to me listening to it through a lot of my heartaches and struggles,” she admitted. “You can apply it to whatever you are going through, just to say there is hope, and just get out there and fly. For myself, I go through a lot, but I was born with a happy heart. I want to be happy. I work at being happy like some people work at being sad.”
Check out “Butterfly” for yourself in the video below.
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.”
Dean Is Still ‘Ever-Present’ With Parton
Parton concluded by saying that as she mourns Dean, she’s put her energy into “other things.” In doing so, she makes sure to “keep him ever-present in everything that I do.”
Parton and Dean were married in 1966, and they remained devoted to one another until his death. In the months since his passing, Parton has suffered from various health issues. She even had to postpone her Las Vegas residency, which was supposed to start this month, until the fall of 2026.
Please join us in saying a prayer for Dolly Parton as she continues to come to terms with this devastating loss.
Rest in peace, Carl Dean.