The enduring love story of Dolly Parton and Carl Dean took a poignant turn with Dean’s passing, leaving the iconic singer grappling with deep sorrow. As reported by Radar Online, Parton is still reeling from the loss of her beloved husband, who died at 82 on March 3. The void left by his absence has been profound, with Parton describing it as a ‘hole in her heart.’

Friends and close associates of Parton, who is now 79, have expressed concern over her ongoing struggle to find solace and move forward. Despite her attempts to immerse herself in work as a means of coping, those around her note the significant impact of her grief.

Efforts to reach Parton’s representatives for comments have been made by the Daily Mail, but as of yet, no response has been received. The outpouring of concern from her inner circle highlights the depth of her emotional struggle.

According to a source who spoke to the publication, the heartbreak has been overwhelming for Parton. “She’s desperately trying to rally herself back to work, but it is very difficult. The loss is hitting her so hard. Her friends are very worried,” the insider revealed, emphasizing the profound effect Dean’s death has had on her.

This personal tragedy has indeed ‘knocked the wind right out of her,’ as described by those close to the star, adding to the deep sense of loss felt by one of music’s most cherished figures.

The source said his passing ‘knocked the wind right out of her.’  

Dolly Parton is said to be struggling to move forward after the death of her spouse, Carl Dean

A pre-recorded segment Parton filmed to receive an honorary Oscar at the Governor’s Ball also raised eyebrows.

Parton was set to receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the ceremony, but she cancelled her in-person appearance and ended up accepting the honor virtually.

It came after she revealed she had postponed her Las Vegas residency on account of health challenges that required her to undergo several medical procedures.

Health issues also forced her to cancel a pre-scheduled trip to Dollywood in September, with the star revealing she needed to recover from a kidney stone. 

An insider told Radar that Parton was ‘sad’ to miss the Governor’s Ball, however, ‘she simply could not handle going, which tells you just how bad it is.’

A ‘long list’ of suitors have also expressed interest in pursuing Parton – however she has ‘zero interest’ in them.

When Dean died, Parton said they ‘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,’ she added.

Several weeks after Dean’s death, Parton told Knox News, ‘I’m doing better than I thought I would. I’ve been with him 60 years. So, I’m going to have to relearn some of the things that we’ve done. But I’ll keep him always close.’

She also shared insight into the end of her famously reclusive husband’s life, revealing that he struggled leading up to his death.

‘He suffered a great deal,’ Dolly said. ‘I’m at peace that he’s at peace, but that don’t keep me from missing him and loving him.’

The depth of Parton’s grief is said to be concerning friends

At the time of his death, Parton said of her late spouse, ‘Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years’

She went on to say, ‘It’s a hole in my heart, you know, but we’ll fill that up with good stuff and he’ll still always be with me.’

Parton and Dean met in Nashville in 1964 at a place most wouldn’t peg as a hotbed of romance – the laundromat. They tied the knot two years later.

But both described the fateful meeting in 1964 as love at first sight in later interviews. They renewed their vows at their Nashville home in May 2016 to mark their 50th wedding anniversary.

Speaking on Zoe Ball’s Radio 2 Breakfast Show two years ago, Parton, then 77, was clear as to why their marriage has endured.

‘We’ve been together 59 [years], we dated two years, and then we just celebrated our 57th anniversary on May the 30th,’ she said during the November 2023 interview.

‘But I think so much of it is the fact that we are honest and open and we have a warped sense of humor!’

Parton and Carl tied the knot two years after meeting at a Nashville laundromat 

She has since said that Dean’s death left ‘a hole in my heart’

‘He is crazy, he is so funny and clever. And I have a great sense of humor from both sides of my family so I think the humor has always been good.’

Parton continued by saying they share a mutual ‘love and respect’ for one another.

‘There’s the respect and the love and I just like him!’ she added. ‘You know, I would have liked him if he wasn’t my husband, if he was somebody else’s husband I say, “You know that Carl Dean, ain’t he funny? Ain’t he a good guy?”, so think it’s just that mutual respect and we just like each other.’

‘If I ask him if he likes my hair – “too stringy for me” or “it looks too important” – you know like if it’s too stiff… he always calls it that, “It looks too important”, but I know if I ask him – he won’t just volunteer it – but if I ask him he’ll tell me the truth.’