Dolly Parton blamed herself for husband Carl Dean's declining health after he almost died a few years ago

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: Dolly Parton's husband Carl Dean suffered from various health issues before his death on Monday, March 3, but a few years back, the country legend blamed herself for his declining health after an incident.

Dean was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and dementia, but he almost died a few years ago from a weak heart, according to a report by Radar Online.

Dolly Parton blamed herself for husband Carl Dean's declining health

As per reports from January 2019, Dolly Parton rushed her husband to the hospital after he collapsed in their Nashville home, according to the outlet.

Dean had undergone treatment and was eventually released but insiders claimed that Parton was never the same person following the incident and blamed herself for his declining health.

A source said at the time, per Radar Online, "Dolly won’t even let on to most of her friends on how sick Carl really is. He thankfully was able to check out of the hospital after getting a workup, but doctors warned him he could face more episodes of fainting and he was lucky someone was at home with him this time."

Even though Dean was given medications for his heart and low blood pressure, the insider said, "There comes a point at his age and with his health history when the medicine has diminishing effectiveness. That’s what scares Dolly to death — and Carl, too."

"Dolly is scared to leave Carl home alone. All of her money, all of her success, doesn’t mean anything to her without Carl," the source added.

The 82-year-old husband of Parton died on Monday and the singer shared the news on Instagram. She wrote, "Carl Dean, husband of Dolly Parton, passed away March 3rd in Nashville at the age of 82. He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family attending. He is survived by his siblings Sandra and Donnie."

The statement continued, "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. The family asks for privacy during this difficult time."

Insider claims Carl Dean's disease 'shattered Dolly's dreams'

Things weren't the same for the couple after Carl Dean was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2019.

An insider said in 2022, as quoted by OK Magazine, "Dolly will enter a room to talk to Carl, and she sometimes sees a look of bewilderment on his face, like he doesn’t know where he is or even who she is."

The source added, "The disease has shattered Dolly’s dreams about what their golden years would be. She’s frightened it’s only going to get worse."

Parton reportedly struggled with a sense of guilt that "she didn’t spend enough time with Carl during their marriage," the source mentioned.

The insider said, "There were times in their marriage when they only saw each other eight weeks in a whole calendar year."

The source added that as Parton was always in the limelight, Dean preferred to stay lowkey and far from attention. "Carl is a real homebody, who has never liked attention. He's only attended three of her concerts," the source said at the time.