Dolly Parton’s Husband Carl Dean Dead At Age 82

Country music legend Dolly Parton is mourning the loss of her beloved husband, Carl Dean.

The pair married in 1966 and have been inseparable ever since. Sadly, on Monday, March 3, he passed away in Nashville, Tennessee. Although details of his death were not disclosed in the initial announcement, he had been battling Alzheimer’s, along with numerous other health problems, before his sudden passing.

On Monday, March 3, Dolly’s rep took to Instagram to post a statement on behalf of the singer. “Carl Dean, husband of Dolly Parton, passed away March 3rd in Nashville at the age of 82,” the statement began. “He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family attending.”

The statement goes on to say that he will be survived by his siblings, Sandra and Donnie, before continuing with a statement from the “Jolene” singer herself:

“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.”

The statement concludes, “The family has asked for privacy during this difficult time.”

Although Dolly occasionally turns off the comments on her Instagram posts, they were left on as fans offered their thoughts and prayers in the face of his untimely passing.

“I’m sending so much love and prayers. I am so sorry,” one fan wrote.

“I’m so sorry, Dolly. I love you,” another follower echoed.

“So sorry, Dolly. What a gem of a man,” a third fan chimed in.

“Peace be with you, Dolly. May his love continue to grow in your heart for every passing year,” another follower shared alongside a red heart emoji.

In November 2023, The Blastreported that the “9 to 5” singer had put her legendary career on hold in order to care for her husband, who had been battling Alzheimer’s. Carl was diagnosed in 2019 after battling high blood pressure and heart problems for some time.

The insider who spoke to National Enquirer said, "Dolly has long been a fixture on the touring circuit, but as her husband's health takes precedence, she has chosen to take a step back from the stage to focus on what matters most – family."

"She wants to make sure they enjoy every last minute they have together," the source added.

The couple tied the knot in 1966, when Dolly was only 20 and Dean was 23. Despite numerous questions over the years, a 2022 report by Closer revealed that Dolly was “fiercely private” about her relationship with Dean, especially due to his health struggles.

According to insiders, the couple was "not as active physically as they once were" in their later years.

"Carl's not jumping in the car and ready for an adventure like he used to be," they continued. "It's called slowing down — he relies on Dolly and the staff more these days — but Dolly says it's better than the alternative."

In a separate interview, Dolly admitted that she was reluctant to go touring and leave Carl at home. “We're getting older now, and I don't want to be gone for four or five weeks at a time,” she said, adding, “Something could happen."

"I would not feel right about that if I were gone and somebody needed me,” she continued. “Or I would feel bad if I had to leave a tour if somebody got sick at home and needed me, and then I had to walk out on the fans."

In December 2023, The Blast reported that she had no regrets when it came to the couple’s decision not to have children.

"I haven't missed it like I thought I might. When you're a young couple, you think you're going to have kids, but it just wasn't one of those burning things for me. I had my career and my music and I was travelling,” she said at the time, adding that if she had been a mother, she would have “stayed at home” and “worried myself to death about them.”

"With everything that's going on, I'd hate to be bringing a child into this world right now,” she continued. “I always say God didn't let me have children so that all kids could be mine."

RIP Carl Dean.