I Will Always Love You! Dolly's Secret Heartbreak

The singer is facing her toughest marriage test

Country legend Dolly Parton’s 53-year marriage is tackling its biggest challenge yet. Her beloved husband has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Chatting at the premiere of her Netflix series Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings, the singer spoke fondly of hubby Carl Dean, saying the secret to their long marriage is respect.

“And he makes me laugh all the time,” she gushes. “We both have a warped sense of humour. It’s one of the things that’s kept us together all of this time.”

But the bubbly star was hiding a secret. Her husband has Alzheimer’s disease, an incurable condition that attacks the brain, destroying memory and other important mental functions.

“It’s early,” confirms a source. “It doesn’t seem in a bad stage yet, but he has it.”