Dolly Parton is opening up about life after the loss of her beloved husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, who passed away this spring.
“Of course I miss him,” she told Entertainment Tonight. “I’m having to really go through a lot trying to figure out how to be without him. I was with him for so long.”
She goes on to say that Dean had been in declining health for the past few years, and while she is understandably heartbroken by his passing, she finds some comfort in knowing he’s no longer suffering.
The news of Carl’s death was shared with the world on Monday (March 3), when Parton posted a statement that read, “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together…Words can’t do justice for the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.”
Paying Tribute To Her Late husband Through Song
Shortly after making the announcement, the country music icon revealed she would be paying tribute to her loved one by releasing a heartfelt new song “If You Hadn’t Been There.”
“I’m doing as well as one can after 60 years of being with and loving somebody. When Carl did pass away, I thought I got to do something. So I’m going to just put that song out as a tribute to him. He did suffer a lot for the last few years, and there’s a part of me that’s happy that 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.”
Despite the pain, the “9 To 5” singer says she’s received an outpouring of love and support from friends, family and fans around the world.
“I couldn’t believe the amount of support worldwide that people sent my way with the flowers and the cards and the calls and everything.”
Staying Busy Through Work
Parton says she continues to do the best that she can under the circumstances. Luckily, she has had her work to keep her very busy during this time.
“The fact that I’ve got my work has been probably the best blessing that I’ve been involved in so many things. At least keeps me occupied instead of me just folding in on myself.”
She’s staying active with several new projects, including her new musical, DOLLY: An Original Musical, the 40th anniversary of Dollywood, and even a new line of frozen foods.
Dolly Parton and Carl Dean’s Love Story
Carl Dean was 82 years old when he passed away. He is survived by his siblings, Sandra and Donnie. The cause of his death is unknown.
Dolly Parton and Carl Dean met when she was just 18 years old and a new Nashville resident at the time. The singer/songwriter was doing laundry at the Wishy Washy Laundromat when Dean, who was 21, drove by in his truck. After catching his attention, he passed by the establishment again and stopped to warn her about the risk of getting a sunburn in her skimpy outfit.
The lovebirds were together for two years before tying the knot in an intimate ceremony on May 30, 1966. They said “I Do” in a small church, with only Parton’s mother, Avie Lee, and the preacher and his wife as witnesses.
The “9 To 5” singer began to grow in popularity, but Dean preferred to stay out of the spotlight and kept their relationship largely out of the public eye. Dean was perfectly content living his normal life and running his asphalt-paving business while his other half soared to stardom.
In recent years, Parton revealed that Dean’s ongoing health issues was the main reason why she stopped touring.
