Dolly Parton Emotionally Remembers Her Late Husband After 58 Years Together: “I’ll Miss Him Forever, But Part of Me Is Relieved He’s at Peace”

Country music legend Dolly Parton is navigating a deeply emotional chapter in her life following the passing of her beloved husband of nearly six decades — Carl Dean, who died on March 3, 2025, at the age of 82.

In a heartfelt interview with Entertainment Tonight, the 79-year-old icon opened up about her grief: “Of course I miss him terribly. I’m learning how to live without him after loving and being with him for so long.”

Though heartbroken, Parton is doing her best to remain strong and pay tribute in the way she knows best — through music. After Dean’s death, she released a touching song titled “If You Hadn’t Been There” as a personal and emotional tribute.

“He suffered a lot in his final years,” she shared. “There’s part of me that feels some peace knowing he’s finally at rest. But there’s also a part of me that will miss him every single day for the rest of my life.”

Parton expressed deep gratitude for the overwhelming love and support she has received from fans around the world. “I couldn’t believe the amount of flowers, letters, and calls,” she said.

Carl Dean and Dolly met outside a laundromat in Nashville in 1964, marrying two years later. Despite Parton’s global fame, Dean always stayed out of the spotlight — their enduring love story quietly defying the glare of Hollywood.

In a rare public comment in 2016, Dean once said about Dolly: “The day I met her, I knew I was going to marry her. And that was the day my life began.”

While Dolly now faces the challenge of life without her partner, her words — and music — continue to honor the love story that lasted a lifetime.