Dolly Parton has died 16 months after the passing of her beloved husband, Carl Dean, with whom she was married for 58 years. The country musician, who died in August 2026, had spoken openly of her devastation following Dean's death at the age of 82 in March 2025.
A Great Old Love Story
Speaking to People magazine after her husband's death, Parton reflected on their long marriage. "Ours is a great old love story. Most people don't stay that close that long. That's a loss," she said. "Nobody can ever know that unless you've experienced it yourself. He will always be in my heart and in my memories."
Amid her grief, Parton found a way to honour her husband by immortalising him in Dolly: A True Original Musical, which opened in Nashville last year. As of December, the show is expected to begin previews on Broadway.
Immortalising Carl Dean
Reflecting on her husband's legacy, Parton told People: "His whole thing was he was famous for not being famous. I've exposed him now. It's probably a good thing he's gone, or he'd kick my ass. But I think that he'd appreciate how I've presented our love."
"It makes me happy when he says in the show, 'Hello, I'm Carl Dean,' he gets applause," she continued. "When I watch the show, it's healing in a way. It's almost like he was never gone. So now he'll always be here, too."
Final Farewell
Almost 18 months after her husband's passing, Parton's death was confirmed by her nephew, Bryan Seaver. Speaking on behalf of his family, Bryan said: "I'm representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next."
"This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality. As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven't truly felt it until now."
Bryan added, "It is an honour, an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens."
Following the news, Parton's immediate family held a private funeral for the singer on 28 August. Her relatives headed to Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville on Friday, where the musician was laid to rest next to her beloved husband, Carl.
