Introduction

Dolly Parton speaks out after husband Carl Dean's death: 'I will always  love you'

Dolly Parton, the beloved country music icon, has shared heartfelt sentiments following the passing of her husband of almost six decades, Carl Dean. Dean died on Monday in Nashville at the age of 82.

In a touching statement shared on Instagram, Parton expressed gratitude to her fans for their outpouring of support, including “all the messages, cards, and flowers” she has received during this difficult time. She wrote, “I love the old guy. He’s the only one I’ve ever wanted and the only one I’ll ever have, I’m sure.” Parton added, “He is in God’s arms now, and I’m okay with that. I will always love you.”

The couple’s enduring love story began in an unlikely place – a Wishy-Washy laundromat. Parton often recounted the humorous and somewhat out-of-character way Dean, a self-described “backwards and bashful” individual, approached her. “Now that the older we are, the more we realize just how it was just meant to be,” she reflected.

Two years after their initial meeting, Dolly and Carl eloped in Georgia, solidifying a bond that would last a lifetime. Parton described their relationship as incredibly complementary: “We just work so well together. He’s a homebody and I love to travel… he’s kind of a loner so he doesn’t really like being with anybody but me.”

Beyond their differing lifestyles, Parton highlighted the deep respect and shared sense of humor that formed the foundation of their marriage. “We have a lot of love and respect for each other, and I think the key to all of it, we both have a crazy, warped sense of humor, so we have a lot of fun,” she shared. “That helps a lot. I really believe that that was one of God’s greatest gifts to give me, Carl Dean. We’re best buds, and so we’re just really very compatible.”

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