Dolly Parton was 'shattered' as late husband Carl Dean failed to recognize her amid Alzheimer's battle

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: Dolly Parton has always been a force of nature. But behind all the glitz and glam, the country music queen was quietly facing a heartbreaking battle at home.

Her beloved husband of nearly six decades, Carl Dean, tragically died at the age of 82 after a devastating battle with Alzheimer’s. 

It all started back in 2019 when Dean was reportedly diagnosed with the cruel disease. And things only went downhill from that moment on. "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," a source heartbreakingly revealed in 2022, as quoted by OK! magazine.

As the disease progressed, so did Parton’s fears. "The disease has shattered Dolly’s dreams about what their golden years would be. She’s frightened it’s only going to get worse," the insider shared. And sadly, it did.

On Monday, March 3, the legendary 'Jolene' singer took to Instagram to confirm the devastating news: Carl Dean had passed away earlier that day. 

The guilt that haunted Dolly Parton 

Dolly Parton reportedly struggled with an overwhelming sense of guilt that "she didn’t spend enough time with Carl during their marriage," according to the source. "There were times in their marriage when they only saw each other eight weeks in a whole calendar year."

It’s no secret that Parton and Dean had drastically different lifestyles. While she was always center stage and basking in the limelight, he preferred to stay far, far away from it.

"Carl is a real homebody, who has never liked attention," the source explained. "He's only attended three of her concerts." 

Parton herself confirmed this in a 2016 interview with People, calling her husband a "loner" and admitting that "he doesn't particularly care about being around anybody but me."

"He’s just always asked me to leave him out of all this. He does not like all the hullabaloo," she added.

In 2015, she told Parade she had "married a really good man, a guy that's completely different from me."

"He's not in show business. He's not resentful of any of that. He loves to hear about the things I do," she said, before adding, "I love to hear about the things he does. So we enjoy each other’s company. We get along good. He’s got a great sense of humor. We’ve just been best buddies and best friends and, evidently, it's working!"

Dolly Parton eventually chose husband Carl Dean over touring 

Parton made a major life decision in recent years. She cut back on work, stepped away from major projects, and retired from touring completely.

"Dolly feels her place in life is with Carl now, to love him and to help him during these dark days," the insider revealed before his death. "She’ll never forget the love and support he gave her — even if his memories of her fade away."

As if Alzheimer’s wasn’t cruel enough, it brought a slew of other health battles for Dean. "The disease brought on a slew of grave issues — including bladder problems — that have left him with a lack of appetite," the source shared. "Carl is also disoriented and prone to outbursts caused by his confusion."

"Dolly has had to cut her household staff down to the bone because it confuses Carl having all these people running around," the insider added. "They keep a 24-hour nursing staff in case Carl has a medical emergency, but besides that, Dolly is alone with Carl, taking care of him. And that just shoved touring again out of the picture. Dolly's priority is Carl now, to make him comfortable with whatever time he has left." 

Dolly Parton announces husband Carl Dean's death 

After 60 years of love and unwavering devotion, Dolly Parton finally had to say goodbye to her husband, Carl Dean.

She poured her heart out in a poignant statement shared to social media. "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," she wrote.

According to the post, Dean would be "laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family attending."