Dolly Parton pays tribute to late husband Carl Dean with new song 'If You Hadn't Been There'

Dolly Parton's husband, Carl Thomas Dean, passed away at the age of 82. His death was announced on Dolly Parton's social media accounts on March 3, 2025. Parton and Dean were married for more than 60 years and have shared a loving married life, even though it was always away from the spotlight.

Parton made the decision to release a new song, If You Hadn't Been There, in honor of her late husband, Carl Thomas Dean, in remembrance of their years together. The song was released on March 6, 2025. She shared a photo of the two of them when they were younger on her official Instagram account, revealing the tune. In the caption, she writes,

"I fell in love with Carl Dean when I was 18 years old. We have spent 60 precious and meaningful years together. Like all great love stories, they never end. They live on in memory and song. He will always be the star of my life story, and I dedicate this song to him. ‘If You Hadn’t Been There’" - Parton posted.

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How did Dolly Parton and Carl Thomas Dean meet?

Dolly Parton and Carl Thomas Dean met at a laundromat in Nashville. Dean rarely makes public appearances even though Dolly's career needed her to be in the spotlight all the time. However in 2016, Dean made a statement on Entertainment Tonight. He shared his first thoughts when he met Dolly Parton. He said,

"My first thought was 'I'm gonna marry that girl.' My second thought was, 'Lord she’s good lookin" Dean told Entertainment Tonight.

He also expressed how he felt when he met her by saying,

"and that was the day my life began". Dean shared.

On the other hand, Dolly Parton has always been expressive about her love for Carl. She has mentioned him during numerous interviews over the years. In one of her interviews with PEOPLE, she shared,

"He’s always supporting me as long as I don’t try to drag him in on it. He’s always been my biggest fan behind the scenes, but he’s at home" - Dolly said.

Parton and her husband has made their marriage work for 60 long years despite having different interests.

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Parton also posted a message or in her own words "a love note", on her official Instagram account to thank everyone who has been there for her during this difficult time. In her post, she said,

"I can't reach out personally to each one of you but just know it has meant the world to me" she wrote.