We previously reported that Dolly Parton’s husband Carl Dean, who she was married to for nearly 60 years, died on Monday at the age of 82. Now, Parton has broken her silence to let her fans know that she’s aware that her beloved husband is with God now.
‘He’s In God’s Arms Now’
“This is a love note to family, friends, and fans. 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,” Parton, 79, wrote on social media. “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,” she continued. This was a clear reference to her 1973 hit song “I Will Always Love You.”
On Friday morning, Parton released a song called “If You Hadn’t Been There,” which she dedicated to Dean.
“I fell in love with Carl Dean when I was 18 years old,” she said. “We have spent 60 precious and meaningful years together. Like all great love stories, they never end. They live on in memory and song. He will always be the star of my life story, and I dedicate this song to him.”
Check out that song in the video below.
Dean Passes Away
Meanwhile, Dean’s death was announced on Monday evening hours after his passing.
“Carl Dean, husband of Dolly Parton, passed away March 3rd in Nashville at the age of 82,” the post read. “He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family attending. He is survived by his siblings Sandra and Donnie.”
Parton, 79, then added a brief statement of her own.
“Carl and I spent many wonderful years together,” she said. “Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.”
Parton And Dean’s History
Parton and Dean had been married since 1966. They never had any children. Despite being married to one of the most famous women in the world, Dean always preferred to stay out of the spotlight. Instead, he liked to spend much of his time on the farm that he and Parton shared in Tara, which is located just outside of Nashville.
“I always joke and laugh when people ask me what’s the key to my long marriage and lasting love,” Parton told People Magazine in 2018. “I always say ‘Stay gone!’ and there’s a lot of truth to that….I travel a lot, but we really enjoy each other when we’re together and the little things we do.”
Back in December, Parton also admitted in an interview with her fellow country music star Jelly Roll’s wife Bunnie XO that she and Dean were opposites. Indeed, she believes that this is what attracted them to one another.
“He’s quiet and I’m loud, and we’re funny,” Dolly said at the time. “Oh, he’s hilarious. And I think one of the things that’s made it last so long through the years is that we love each other [and] we respect each other, but we have a lot of fun.”
This is clearly an extremely difficult time for Parton, as she is mourning the loss of the love of her life. Please join us in saying a prayer for her.
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