The famous singer first shared the news of her husband’s death on social media. The couple had been married for nearly 60 years and had no children together.

Dolly Parton shared a heartfelt message following the death of her husband Carl Dean on March 3, 2025. She paid tribute to him in a post on social media.

In an Instagram post on March 6, 2025, Parton thanked family, friends, and fans for their support and shared that she has found peace in her faith: “He is in the arms of God now and that’s okay with me. I will always love you.”

Parton’s tribute came after Dean’s funeral arrangements were revealed, marking another step in memorializing him. According to information her publicist shared with The Associated Press, Dean will be honored at a private funeral service with only his immediate family in attendance.

The funeral details and a message relayed by Parton’s sister follow initial reports of the death of the man who captured the “9 to 5” singer’s heart. Dean is survived by Parton and his siblings, Sandra and Donnie.

The family, who are not disclosing the cause of Dean’s death, have asked for privacy during this difficult time as they mourn the loss of the man who has been a constant in Parton’s life since their wedding in 1966. Parton and Dean crossed paths on her very first day in the city, two years before they tied the knot. She had just arrived in Nashville to visit her uncle Bill, who had moved there two weeks earlier.