Life Without My Husband

THE COUNTRY MUSIC QUEEN IS BEGINNING A NEW CHAPTER AFTER THE LOSS OF CARL DEAN

- By LOUISE A. BARILE

In 2022, Dolly Parton announced that she was retiring from touring to spend more time at home with her husband, Carl Dean. “They were in love until the very end,” says a friend of the couple. “They gave each other exactly what the other needed.”

On March 3, the country music queen announced that Carl, 82, her spouse of 59 years, had passed away. Although Carl wasn't a part of Dolly's public life, she called him her rock, through good times and bad. “There’s always that safety, that security, that strength,” she told Knox News. “He’s a good man, and we’ve had a good life and he’s been a good husband.”

Over the past few years as Carl was reportedly battling Alzheimer’s Disease, Dolly, 79, remained a constant presence. “She spent a lot of time with Carl, especially near the end,” confides the friend. “His eyes would still light up when Dolly entered the room.” She discovered a new strength in herself as she spent hours holding Carl's hand and sharing favorite memories of their long life together. “It was very difficult for her, but she didn’t want him to be afraid or feel alone,” says the friend.

Dolly found solace for both of them in faith, too. “She promised Carl she’d see him again,” says the friend. “Dolly wanted him to be at peace in his final moments.”

A LUCKY ENCOUNTER