Dolly Parton is mourning the loss of her husband, Carl Dean, who passed away on March 3 at the age of 82.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, the country legend expressed her gratitude for the outpouring of love and support. “Thank you for all the messages, cards, and flowers you’ve sent to pay your respects for the loss of my beloved husband, Carl,” she wrote. “I can’t reach out personally to each of you, but just know it has meant the world to me.”
She ended her message with a touching nod to her iconic song I Will Always Love You, adding, “He is in God’s arms now, and I am okay with that. I will always love you.”
Parton and Dean were married for 58 years, first meeting in 1964 on the very day she moved to Nashville to chase her music dreams. While Parton’s fame skyrocketed, Dean preferred a private life away from the spotlight—a choice she always respected.
The couple’s love story was filled with humor and understanding. In a past interview, Parton recalled the only time Dean attended an awards show with her. “I rented him a tux and begged him to go,” she shared. “He was so uncomfortable the whole night and later told me, ‘Don’t ever ask me to go to another one of these damn things because I ain’t going.’ And he never did.”
Despite their differences, Parton always cherished their bond. “They say opposites attract, and it’s true,” she once told PEOPLE. “I never know what he’s gonna say or do. He’s always surprising me.”
Though Dean stayed out of the public eye, his love for Parton was evident. In a rare 2016 interview, he reflected on the moment they met: “My first thought was, ‘I’m gonna marry that girl.’ My second thought was, ‘Lord, she’s good-lookin.’ And that was the day my life began.”
Following his passing, Parton shared another tribute, writing, “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.”
Source: Entertainment Weekly