Dolly Parton is navigating a new chapter in life after the passing of her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, who died in March at the age of 82 in Nashville. While the loss has been deeply personal, Dolly has chosen to stay busy—and in many ways, that’s helped her through the grieving process.
Just weeks after Carl’s passing, Dolly was back in front of fans at Dollywood’s opening day, where she performed and took a moment to thank everyone for their love and support. Since then, she’s announced new books, music collaborations, and stayed active with her many projects. As she put it in a recent Today Show interview, staying involved in her work has been the best medicine:
“I get very emotional when people bring it up. But we were together 60 years. I’ve loved him since I was 18 years old,” she shared, her voice catching slightly. “It’s a big adjustment—just trying to change patterns and habits. I’ll do fine. I’m very involved in my work, and that’s been the best thing that could happen to me. But I’ll always miss him, of course, and always love him. He was a great partner to me.”
Dolly also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the fans who reached out from around the world. “I got so many cards, letters, flowers. I had no idea Carl Dean was so famous,” she joked with a smile—proof that even in sorrow, she hasn’t lost her signature sense of humor.
Although the last few months have brought big changes, Dolly says she’s doing better than expected:
“I’ve been with him for 60 years. There’s a lot I’ll have to relearn, but I’ll keep him close. I need to laugh, I need some fun—I’ve been crying enough. I’m at peace knowing he’s at peace, but that doesn’t stop me from missing him.”
She also revealed that Carl had endured significant health challenges in his final days. “He suffered a great deal,” she said. “It’s a hole in my heart, but we’ll fill that with good memories. He’ll always be with me.”
Dolly recalled sweet, simple memories of Carl, including how he’d visit Dollywood anonymously—buying his own ticket and waiting in line like everyone else because he didn’t want special treatment. “He didn’t want anyone giving him a ticket just because he was Dolly’s husband,” she laughed. “People think that’s the funniest thing.”
Their love story began in 1964 outside a laundromat in Nashville on the very day Dolly moved to town to chase her music dreams. After two years of dating, they secretly tied the knot in Ringgold, Georgia, with her mother by her side—defying her record label’s wishes to keep her single for image reasons.
While Carl rarely appeared in public, his quiet strength and steady presence were a constant in Dolly’s life. He was her anchor in a whirlwind world, and now, even as she carries on without him, Dolly’s strength and grace continue to shine.
