Dolly Parton Opened Up About Her Late Husband Carl Dean in Rare Comments Just 3 Months Before His Death

Dolly Parton.Photo:Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic Dolly Parton shared a rare look into her decades-long romance with husband Carl Dean just months beforehis death at age 82. Parton announced that Dean died in Nashville on Monday, March 3. “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together,” said Parton, 79,in an Instagram statement. “Words can’t do justice the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.”

Dolly Parton Reveals the Real Reason Why Her Husband Doesn't Attend Events with Her: 'Don't Ever Ask Me to Go to Another'

Dolly Parton in June 2024.Photo:Jason Kempin/Getty Jason Kempin/Getty Dolly Partonis opening up about her “homebody” husband,Carl Thomas Dean. On the Monday, Dec. 9 episode ofBunnie Xo’sDumb Blondepodcast, the country music icon, 78, revealed her notoriously private husband, 82, refuses to attend award shows with her. “He loves music, but he’s not the least bit interested in being in it. And he told me that right up front,” the “9 to 5” singer told the wife ofJelly Roll.

Dolly Parton Says She 'Has Never Not Been Home for Christmas' — and Reveals Which Holiday Dishes She Looks Forward to Most (Exclusive)

Dolly Parton and her French bulldog Billy the Kid.Photo:Courtesy of Dolly Parton Courtesy of Dolly Parton It’s no secret thatDolly Partonloves the yuletide season. The country music legend, 78, has released three Christmas albums and starred in several Christmas movies throughout her decades-long career. And much like the title of her 1990 album,Home for Christmas, that’s exactly what she has managed to do for years: always be home for the big holiday.

Dolly Parton Says She Will Play Christmas Music 'for 12 Hours' a Day — and Reveals Her Favorite Songs (Exclusive)

Dolly Parton.Photo:Jon Morgan/CBS/Getty Jon Morgan/CBS/Getty Dolly Partonloves Christmas music! “Well, you know I love all the Christmas songs," the country legend, 78, tells PEOPLE exclusively. “I love the fast ones, I love the slow ones.” “I love ‘Silent Night’ and ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem,’ but then I love ‘Rudolph’ and all of those fun things,” she continues. “I just love all of that.” Dolly Parton in June 2024.Terry Wyatt/WireImage

Dolly Parton's Sister Stella Speaks Out After Death of Country Legend's Husband Carl Dean: See Her Poignant Post

Dolly Parton’s sister is speaking out after theloss of Carl Dean, the country star’shusband of nearly 60 years. Shortly after the “Jolene” singer announced the death of Dean on Monday, March, 3, her younger sisterStella Partonshared a message to X thanking fans for their condolences. “On behalf of my sister Dolly, our family and Carl’s family we appreciate your prayers at this time,” Stella, 75, wrote. Parton, 79, said in a statement shared toInstagramthat her husband, whom she married in 1966, died on March 3 in Nashville at age 82.