Dolly Parton Reveals Late Husband Carl Dean’s Secret Health Battle: He’s ‘Not Suffering Anymore’

Dolly Parton is taking comfort in knowing her late husband, Carl Dean, is no longer in pain.

In an interview published Wednesday, May 28, for The Independent, the legendary country singer, 79, opened up about Dean’s health struggles leading up to his death.

“I really feel his presence. I just try to go on, because I know I have to,” she told the outlet. “And he was ill for quite a while, and part of me was at peace that he was at peace and not suffering anymore. But that still doesn’t make up for the loss and the loneliness of it.”

The husband-and-wife duo tied the knot in 1966 and were married for almost 60 years before Dean passed away in March at the age of 82.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dolly Parton (@dollyparton)

The “9 to 5” hitmaker shared that Dean was “very proud” of her success and she is channeling that into her work now.

“So when I did lose him, I just thought, well, I’m going to take all of that energy, and I’m just going to put that back into other things, and I’ll keep him ever-present in everything that I do,” she told the publication.

Parton seems to be already doing that as she released a song dedicated to Dean after he passed away titled “If You Hadn’t Been There.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dolly Parton (@dollyparton)

Earlier this month, Parton appeared on Today and gave insight into how she was adjusting to life after loss.

“I get very emotional when people bring it up. We were together 60 years. I’ve loved him since I was 18 years old,” she remarked. “It’s a big adjustment, just trying to change patterns and habits. I’ll do fine. I’m very involved in my work and that’s been the best thing that could have happened to me. But I’ll always miss him, of course and always love him. He was a great partner to me.”

Parton made an Instagram post in March thanking her “family, friends and fans” for their support amid her devastating loss.

“Thank you for all the messages, cards and flowers that you’ve sent to pay your respects for the loss of my beloved husband,” she wrote in part. “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.”