Dolly Parton has issued a heartbreaking message to fans in her first statement after her husband’s death.
After 59 years of marriage to the 79-year-old singer, Carl Dean died aged 82 in Nashville earlier this week, with a statement shared by Parton’s team on March 4 confirming the news.
Parton has now taken to Instagram to share a personal “love note” to her 7.3 million followers as she grieves.
Watch the video above.
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“This is a love note to family, friends and fans,” Parton’s statement, shared in the early hours of this morning, began.
“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.
“I can’t reach out personally to each of you but just know it has meant the world to me.”
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”He is in God’s arms now and I am OK with that,” Parton’s statement continued.
Parton signed off with an ode to her famous hit, writing, “I will always love you.”
A statement shared on behalf of Parton on Tuesday confirmed Dean’s death.
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“Carl Dean, husband of Dolly Parton, passed away March 3rd in Nashville at the age of 82,” the statement began.
“He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family attending. He was survived by his siblings Sandra and Donnie.”
A quote from Parton read, “Carl and I 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.”
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The statement concluded: ”The family has asked for privacy during this difficult time.”
Parton and Dean met in 1964 outside their local laundromat in Nashville. At the time, she was 18 and he was 21, and two years later, they tied the knot.
Although Parton is one of the most famous faces in American music, Dean was rarely seen in public throughout their marriage, avoiding public appearances with his wife, who shared only a handful of photos with him over the years.
Read Dolly Parton and Carl Dean’s heartwarming love story here.
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