Dolly Parton "will always love" Carl Dean

She wrote on her social media accounts: "This is a love note to family, friends and fans. Thank you all for the messages, cards, and flowers that you've sent to pay your respects for the loss of my beloved husband Carl. 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. I will always love you."

Dolly's message came shortly after her younger sister, Stella Parton, 75, thanked fans on behalf of the '9 to 5' hitmaker.

She wrote on X: "On behalf of my sister Dolly, our family and Carl's family we appreciate your prayers at this time."

Carl's death was revealed with a social media post from the 'Jolene' singer's team.

It read: "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."

Dolly herself shared her own statement alongside the post, but did not reveal a cause of death.

She said: "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."

While Dolly has been renowned in the music industry for decades, Carl famously lived his life out of the spotlight and ran an asphalt-laying company in his native Nashville, Tennessee for several years.

Just months before his death, Dolly explained that it just "felt natural" to keep her marriage away from the spotlight.

She told Britain's HELLO! magazine: "My husband and I have always enjoyed each other. I love to do stuff with him; we have a little RV and like to travel around, especially in Tennessee - we love to get out just for the weekend or day trips. We've been all over the country in it.

"He's never liked going out to dinner and all that stuff. And although I love to go out with friends to a nice dinner and have fun, it just felt natural to me to keep my life private."