Dolly Parton’s Sister Was Asked If the Icon Died of a Broken Heart After Losing Her Husband of 60 Years

10 Sep 2026, 21:12 by Chrissy Stockton · Thought Catalog

Terry Wyatt / Getty Images

Updated 48 minutes ago, September 10, 2026

Days before her death, Dolly Parton said she’d ignored health problems while caring for Carl Dean. “I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” she told PEOPLE on Aug. 21.

Dolly died from cancer on Aug. 25 at 80. Dean, her husband since 1966, had died in March 2025 at 82.

At Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center on March 20, 2025, Dolly Parton attends the world premiere of Threads: My Songs In Symphony. Photo by Jason Kempin / Getty Images.

On the Sept. 10 episode of CBS Mornings, Gayle King asked Dolly’s younger sister Stella Parton, 77, whether grief over Dean’s death played a role. Stella said Dolly was deeply hurt by watching his health decline and had neglected herself “to a point” while caring for him.

At Nashville’s Doubletree Hotel Downtown on April 18, 2014, the Red Tent Women’s Conference brought together sisters Dolly Parton and Stella Parton. Photo by Terry Wyatt / Getty Images.

“But I don’t think that’s what made her sick,” Stella said. “I think my sister worked so hard for so long and just kept going. Even to the last conversation I had with her, she was working. That was her passion.”

Dolly Parton takes the stage at the Los Angeles Convention Center during the 2019 MusiCares Person of the Year ceremony held in her honor. Photo by Rich Fury / Getty Images.

Stella described the couple’s relationship as “very unique and very deep and loyal.” Dolly and Dean were married for nearly 59 years and had no children.

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