Dolly Parton has paid tribute to her late husband, Carl Dean, by releasing a new song just days after his death.
The country icon’s husband of 59 years passed away on Monday (March 3) at the age of 82, with Parton sharing the new track on Friday, along with a post on social media reflecting on their time together.
— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) March 6, 2025
“Carl and I fell in love when I was 18 and he was 23, and like all great love stories, they never end,” she penned. “They live in memory and in song, and I dedicate this to him.”
The artwork for the song features a photo of the couple when they were young, with Dolly standing behind her late husband with her arms around his neck.
In a separate post, Dolly thanked fans for their support following Carl’s death, writing: “This is a love note to family, friends, and fans. 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,” the 79-year-old wrote on Instagram on Thursday.
“I can’t reach out personally to each of you but just know it has meant the world to me. He is in God’s arms now and I am okay with that. I will always love you.”