Dolly Parton has shared a new statement following the death of her "beloved husband," Carl Dean, earlier this week.
The legendary country star — whose husband of 58 years passed away on Monday, March 3 at age 82 — took to Instagram on Thursday, March 6, to thank everybody for their love and support amid the difficult time.
"This is a love note to family, friends, and fans. 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," the "9 to 5" singer, 79, wrote in her post. "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."
She concluded the heartfelt post with a nod to one of her most famous songs.
"I will always love you," Parton wrote.
Fans commented on the post, expressing sympathy for the 10-time Grammy Award winner.
"The I will always love you at the end 😭 so sorry for your loss," one person wrote. "The price of love is grief, and I'm sending you so many prayers mama!"
"What a beautiful message and perspective. We will always love you, Dolly. ♥️," another fan commented.
"Dolly - if anyone could bring everyone together, it's you❤️," a separate individual wrote.
The musician's Instagram account first announced the heartbreaking news on Monday. The post included a quote from Parton, which 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."
The "Jolene" hitmaker and Dean wed in 1966 in Georgia. The couple opted not to have children.
In 2023, Parton spoke to UK publication Saga about her decision to not become a parent.
"I haven't missed it like I thought I might. When you're a young couple, you think you're going to have kids, but it just wasn't one of those burning things for me," she noted. "I had my career and my music and I was travelling."
Dean's cause of death has not been disclosed yet.
