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Dolly Parton has healed many with her soulful songs and philanthropic organizations. However, she needs more than music and charity to overcome the crushing weight of losing her longtime partner. The 9 to 5 hitmaker’s husband, Carl Dean, passed away on March 3 at 82 following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Dean and Parton were married for nearly 60 years, spending most of their lives together. With Dean gone, the singer’s close friends feared she would join him, believing she might die from “heartbreak.” They suspected Parton was hiding a crippling depression, with a source noting:
“There is a major concern that having to deal with the aftermath and devastation of losing Carl, who had been by her side since practically day one, is going to make her own health decline.”
Parton’s pals had good reasons to be concerned about the impacts of Dean’s death on her health. Dr. Gabe Mirkin shed light on the relationship between traumatic events like death and a person’s well-being. He, per Radar Online, claimed “stress, grief, and sorrow” could “increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and premature death.”
Dolly Parton Opts for Solitude Amid Her Late Husband’s Death
Dr. Mirkin added that in cases of Alzheimer’s disease, the caretaker endured more stress than “the demented person.” The source echoed similar sentiments, stressing that Parton “devoted herself” to Dean. Unfortunately, the light faded from his eyes, and she allegedly told him, “You can let go now, Carl, just know I will always love you.”
The insider claimed Parton felt lonely without Dean despite being surrounded by friends and loved ones. She opted to stay alone, treasuring her memories of Dean, who she never expected to go before her. “She secretly had always hoped she would pass before Carl โ because she couldn’t imagine her world without him,” the informant alleged.
Parton made her first public appearance after Dean’s death on March 14 at her Tennessee theme park. She surprised fans and Dollywood season passholders in honor of the park’s 40th season. The grieving widow addressed her husband’s passing at the event, declaring her eternal love and longing for him.
Inside Dolly Parton’s Private Relationship With the Late Carl Dean
Earlier this month, we covered Parton’s efforts to enjoy a private romance with Dean for 59 years. Sources close to the singer claimed she maintained a normal life with her partner, finding joy in being a housewife. She felt more grounded at home and especially loved cooking a fresh breakfast for her late beau every morning.
The couple lived in a modest home near Nashville, purchased in 1999. The 3,324-square-foot main house was on a wooded property with several smaller buildings. When they needed a change, they took their home on the road with a $200,000 RV. The luxurious vehicle featured numerous comforts, including a corner for Parton’s famous blond wigs.
The RV held a special place in Parton’s heart because it reminded her of her childhood. She grew up on tour buses, moving with her family from the mountains of east Tennessee to the flatlands of west Tennessee. While she and Dean maintained a low profile, her love for him resonated through her music. Her late husband inspired songs like Jolene and Rockstar.
Can Dolly Parton overcome the pain of losing her precious husband?
