Dolly Parton Says Husband Carl Dean Was ‘Ill for Quite a While’ Before His Death at 82

Dolly Parton is looking back on the love she shared with late husband Carl Thomas Dean. The singer opened up about how faith has helped her amid her time of grief following the death of her spouse of nearly 60 years.

“I am a person of faith, and I truly believe that I’m going to see him again someday. And I see him every day in my memories and in my heart, and in all the things that we used to do and all the things that we’ve built together,” she told the Associated Press in an interview on Wednesday, May 28. “You just kind of have to learn to kind of make new plans — but that’s the hardest part.”

Dolly, 79, said that she still feels her late husband’s “presence” around her.

“I just try to go on, because I know I have to,” the “Jolene” singer told the outlet. “And he was ill for quite a while, and part of me was at peace that he was at peace and not suffering anymore. But that still doesn’t make up for the loss and the loneliness of it.”

Dolly announced Carl’s death in a statement on March 3. He was 82 years old.

“Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy,” the Steel Magnolias actress said at the time. “The family asks for privacy during this difficult time.”

Though Dolly has lost the love of her life, she said that the things she hopes to accomplish in her philanthropy and career remain the same.

“I just think that I’ve always had dreams and I’m always working,” the Tennessee native shared. “My husband understood that. Carl knew that better than anybody and he was all about it. He was very proud of me. … So when I did lose him, I just thought, well, I’m going to take all of that energy, and I’m just going to put that back into other things, and I’ll keep him ever-present in everything that I do.”

Similarly, an insider told Closer in March that Dolly was trying to keep some normalcy in her life after losing her longtime partner.

“Dolly’s life will change without Carl in it, but don’t expect her to change much,” the source said. “She’s not moving away from the home they shared outside of Nashville. She has a lot of beautiful memories there. Carl will live on in her heart and in her music, which he loved.”

Many of Dolly’s celebrity friends have been supporting her during this difficult time, including Reba McEntire. On March 19, Reba, 70, took the stage at NBC’s Opry 100: A Live Celebration to share her love for Dolly.

“It’s been a great night of celebration, but of course, it’s just not the same without you,” the Reba actress said.

“Dolly, everybody here at the Opry and around the world wants to send you our thoughts and prayers,” she continued. “And you gotta know, we will always love you.”