Dolly Parton has spoken out following the passing of her husband, Carl Dean, earlier this week.
In an Instagram post on Thursday, the country music icon expressed her gratitude in what she described as a “love note” to her loved ones, fans, and friends.
“I deeply appreciate all the messages, cards, and flowers sent in honor of my dear husband, Carl,” she wrote. “While I may not be able to personally respond to each of you, please know that your kindness has meant everything to me.”
She continued, “He is now in God’s embrace, and I find comfort in that. My love for him will never fade.”
News of Dean’s passing was first shared on Monday through a statement on Parton’s social media pages.
“Carl Dean, beloved husband of Dolly Parton, passed away on March 3rd in Nashville at the age of 82,” the statement announced. “A private ceremony will be held for close family members. He is survived by his siblings, Sandra and Donnie.”
Parton, who spent nearly six decades by Dean’s side, reflected on their enduring love in the statement.
“We shared so many beautiful years together, and no words can fully capture the depth of our love over the past 60 years,” she wrote. “Thank you for your prayers and condolences. The family kindly requests privacy during this difficult time.”
The couple, who wed in 1966, maintained a largely private relationship throughout the years.
A framed picture of Dolly Parton and Carl Dean was seen on a table while Parton was interviewed by ABC News in November 2023.
Although Dean preferred to stay out of the public eye, Parton often spoke about their strong connection. She once revealed that his passion for rock ‘n’ roll played a role in inspiring her Rockstar album.
“Many of these songs were chosen because of Carl and his incredible taste in music,” she shared with Good Morning America in 2023.
In a 2022 interview with ET Canada, Parton also revealed the key ingredients of their lasting marriage: maintaining personal space, mutual respect, and cherishing life together.
“When people ask, ‘How have you stayed together so long?’ I just tell them, ‘We’re still going strong,’” she said at the time. “There’s something to be said about that. We don’t spend every moment together—he’s not in the industry, so we have different interests—but we also share things we love.”
“I believe it was meant to be. He was the one for me, and I was the one for him,” she added.