Grief can feel like an unexpected storm, no matter how much we think we’re prepared.
For Dolly Parton, that storm arrived in March when she lost her beloved husband Carl Dean, the man she quietly called her rock for over six decades.
While Dolly has long been the vibrant face of country music, her personal life—especially her marriage—remained mostly out of the public eye.
But now, in the wake of Carl’s passing, the 79-year-old legend is opening up in a heartfelt way.
A Love Story That Began in a Laundromat
Their journey together started way back in 1964 at a Nashville laundromat called the Wishy Washy.
Dolly was just 18 years old when she met Carl, and it didn’t take long before she knew he was the one.
“I fell in love with Carl Dean when I was 18,” she recalled in a recent Instagram post.
They tied the knot two years later, and their love story became one of quiet devotion rather than celebrity flash.
Though Carl inspired several of Dolly’s songs—including fan-favorite “Jolene”—he preferred to stay far from the spotlight.
“He’s always been my biggest fan behind the scenes,” she once said. “But he’s at home.”
Holding Back Tears and Holding Onto Memories
Carl passed away on March 3 in Nashville at the age of 82. For Dolly, it has been an emotional rollercoaster.
In a recent interview, she could barely hold back her tears as she remembered their 60 years of life together.
“We were together for 60 years,” she said softly. “I’ve loved him since I was 18.”
The grief was visible in her voice, and she admitted how hard it is to talk about it without getting emotional.
What’s helped, she says, is the outpouring of support from fans across the globe.
“I’ve gotten so many cards, letters, flowers… I’m so thankful,” she shared.
The love she’s receiving has reminded her that she’s not alone in this heartbreak.
Learning to Live Without Him
Despite the pain, Dolly is trying to move forward.
“I’m doing better than I thought I would,” she admitted. “But after 60 years with someone, you have to relearn some things.”
She described it as having a hole in her heart—a space Carl once filled.
But she also believes that hole will be filled with the good memories they shared. “He’ll always be with me,” she said gently.
His final days, Dolly revealed, were tough. “He suffered a great deal.
I’m at peace that he’s at peace, but that doesn’t mean I don’t miss him.”
A Heartfelt Musical Tribute
At the Grand Ole Opry’s 100th Anniversary celebration, country stars like Reba McEntire and Carrie Underwood paid tribute by performing “I Will Always Love You.” For Dolly, it was overwhelming.
“I have not stopped crying over the beautiful tribute,” she wrote afterward.
“All those beautiful people, with all their beautiful voices, singing my song as a tribute to my husband Carl. The emotion was beyond words.”
Her New Song Carries Carl’s Spirit
Dolly has also poured her feelings into a new song, If You Hadn’t Been There, which she’s dedicated to Carl.
“Like all great love stories, they never really end,” she said.
“They live on in memory and in song.”
To her, Carl will always be more than just a memory—he’s the “star” of her life’s story, guiding her even in his absence.
Finding Peace in the Pain
As she adjusts to this new chapter, Dolly says she’s leaning on her faith.
“He is in God’s arms now, and I’m okay with that,” she wrote, echoing the iconic line from her most famous ballad.
“I will always love you.”
And just like that song, her love for Carl Dean continues to resonate—not just in her music, but in the hearts of all who’ve followed their quiet, powerful love story.
