Dolly Parton’s husband, Carl Thomas Dean, dies at 82
Carl Thomas Dean, the husband of country music legend Dolly Parton, has died at the age of 82.
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Dolly Parton is paying tribute to her late husband Carl Dean for the first time in person after his death on March 3.
The country legend, who kept her love story with Dean private during their 57-year marriage, mourned the loss of Dean at the 40th anniversary sneak peek of her Pigeon Forge, Tennesseee amusement park Dollywood, according to video footage obtained by Tennessee news station WATE.
“You know how I loved him, and he would want me to be working today. I expect to be working,” she told attendees about why she chose to show up to the ceremony.
“I just wanted you to know that of course I will always love him, and I’ll miss him, but I wanted you to know that I will always love you,” Parton added.
‘My beloved husband’: Parton previously mourned loss of Carl Dean
Parton previously mourned Dean’s death in a lengthy social media post.
In a statement posted March 6 on Instagram, the music icon thanked fans for their support in the days since Dean’s death.
“This is a love note to family, friends, and fans,” Parton wrote. “Thank you for all the messages, cards, and flowers that you’ve sent to pay your respects for the loss of my beloved husband Carl. I can’t reach out personally to each of you but just know it has meant the world to me.”
She closed, “He is in God’s arms now and I am okay with that. I will always love you.”
To honor their love, the celebrated songstress released a new track on Friday March 7. “If You Hadn’t Been There,” a single dedicated to Dean, features a cover photo of the couple and chronicles a tender and enduring love.
“I fell in love with Carl Dean when I was 18 years old,” Parton wrote in an Instagram post announcing the song. “We have spent 60 precious and meaningful years together. Like all great love stories, they never end. They live on in memory and song. He will always be the star of my life story, and I dedicate this song to him.”
Dollywood opens for 40th season
Dollywood opened for its 40th season on Saturday. To celebrate its 40th season, Dollywood has added new food, shows, and have other surprises planned.
“I can’t believe that we’ve been making memories for folks here at my Dollywood for 40 years,” Parton said in a statement. “That’s a lot of laughter, hugs and smiles, and I’m glad that we’ve been able to be part of it for so many years.”
Contributing: Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY; Devarrick Turner, Knoxville News Sentinel
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