Close friends of country music legend Dolly Parton have expressed serious concern for her wellbeing, revealing she has been hit 'so hard' by grief following the death of her beloved husband, Carl Dean.
A Devastating Loss
Carl Thomas Dean passed away at the age of 82 on March 3, 2025, leaving a profound void in the life of the iconic singer. The couple, famously private about their relationship, had been married for nearly six decades after first meeting in Nashville in 1964. Parton herself poignantly stated the loss had left a "hole in my heart," a sentiment that has deeply worried her inner circle.
According to sources speaking to Radar Online, the scale of the loss has been overwhelming. "She's desperately trying to rally herself back to work, but it is very difficult. The loss is hitting her so hard. Her friends are very worried," an insider revealed. They added that Dean's passing had "knocked the wind right out of her," indicating a profound struggle to adapt to life without her lifelong partner.
Impact on Career and Health
The toll of her bereavement has reportedly extended into Parton's professional life and health. Notably, she chose to accept an honorary Oscar—the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award—via a pre-recorded segment during the Governor's Ball rather than attending in person, a decision that raised eyebrows among observers aware of her grief.
Furthermore, the singer has faced separate health challenges this year, which have compounded her difficulties. She was forced to postpone her planned Las Vegas residency due to needing several medical procedures. In September, a pre-scheduled trip to her Dollywood theme park was also cancelled as she recovered from a kidney stone issue.
A Love Story for the Ages
Dolly and Carl's enduring romance began with a chance encounter at a Nashville laundromat in 1964, which both later described as love at first sight. They married two years later, in 1966, and renewed their vows in May 2016 to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary.
In a past interview on Zoe Ball's Radio 2 Breakfast Show, Parton credited their lasting bond to honesty and humour. "He is crazy, he is so funny and clever... I think the humor has always been good," she said. She emphasised a foundation of mutual respect, adding, "I just like him!"
Following Dean's death, Parton released a statement honouring their time together, saying they "spent many wonderful years together." She added, "Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years." As the singer navigates this immensely challenging period, the support and concern of her friends underscore the depth of a loss that has touched fans around the world.
