Dolly Parton releases emotional song for late husband
Country music legend Dolly Parton is grieving the loss of her husband, Carl Thomas Dean, who passed away on March 3, 2025, at the age of 82. The couple had been married for 58 years. In his memory, Dolly released a heartfelt song titled “If You Hadn’t Been There.” She also shared a touching photo of the two of them and wrote about the deep love they shared since first meeting when she was just 18 years old. The song expresses her gratitude for his love and support throughout their life together.
Dolly, now 79, also posted on Instagram to thank her fans for their kind messages. She shared how deeply she misses Carl. Their first meeting happened at a laundromat in Nashville. Carl always preferred to live outside of the spotlight. Dolly’s new song beautifully reflects the strong bond they had. She previously honored her uncle, Billy Earl Owens, with a tribute song after his passing in 2021.
Our hearts go out to Dolly and her family during this difficult time.
You can listen to her tribute song below:
