Dolly Parton is opening up about the profound loss of her beloved husband, Carl Dean, who passed away on March 3, 2025, at the age of 82. In her first public appearance since his death, the 79-year-old country music legend attended the 40th season celebration of her Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, on March 14, where she reflected on her nearly 60 years of life with Dean.
Parton shared candidly during an interview with Knox News, "I’m doing better than I thought I would." Despite the immense grief she feels, she explained that remembrances of their years together help her navigate her new reality. "I’ve been with him for 60 years. So, I’m going to have to relearn some of the things that we’ve done. But I’ll keep him always close," she added emotionally.
Much to the affection of fans, Parton described Dean's final days, stating, "He suffered a great deal," yet she expressed a sense of comfort in knowing he is at peace now. "I feel at peace that he's at peace, but that don't keep me from missing him and loving him," she said, poignantly recognizing the void his absence has left. "It's a hole in my heart, you know, but we'll fill that up with good stuff and he'll still always be with me."
Parton also recalled fond moments from their life together, particularly how Dean often visited Dollywood to experience the park as a tourist. "He used to come to the park; he bought his own ticket - stood in line and got his ticket. He didn't want somebody giving him a ticket 'cause he was Dolly’s husband," she laughed, emphasizing Dean's desire for privacy despite his wife's fame. "Everybody thinks that’s the funniest thing."
As a testament to their partnership, Parton reminisced about the constructive feedback Dean would give her after his visits to the park, like suggesting improvements for guest convenience. "He would say, ‘You need more bathrooms,’ or he would say, ‘You need to tell them this or that. It’s crowded over in that area.' He wasn't coming to criticize, but he would notice things and he would say, ‘You might want to bring this to their attention,’" she recalled with affection.
Following Dean’s passing, Parton channeled her grief into creativity and released a touching song titled "If You Hadn’t Been There," which she dedicated to him. In the days leading up to the Dollywood event, she shared a heartfelt message on Instagram thanking friends, family, and fans for their support during her mourning. "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," she wrote. "He is in God’s arms now and I am okay with that. I will always love you."
At the Opry 100 celebration on March 19, Dolly Parton was honored by her peers, including country superstars Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, and Lady A, who performed her classic ballad "I Will Always Love You" in a tribute that exemplified the love and respect she carries in the music community. Reba McEntire took a moment to express solidarity with Parton, stating, "Everybody here at the Opry and around the world wants to send you our thoughts and prayers. And you've got to know, we will always love you."
This celebration came just weeks after Parton shared the bittersweet news of Dean’s passing, reflecting on their deep relationship in a statement where 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.”
Dolly Parton first met Carl Dean in 1964 outside a laundromat in Nashville, a brief encounter that would lead to a lifelong partnership. "You’re gonna get sunburnt out here, little lady!" was how Dean initially caught her attention as he drove by. They quickly struck up a conversation, leading to a relationship that blossomed into marriage in May 1966. Their elopement in Ringgold, Georgia was kept a secret for a year before anyone outside their immediate circle knew they were husband and wife.
Parton and Dean were known for their private relationship. While Dolly built a legendary music career, Dean preferred to stay out of the public eye, leading many to believe he did not exist due to the absence of public photographs of them together. This was something Parton would often address humorously, saying, "That has led a lot of people to believe that my husband doesn't exist and that I made him up." Despite this, their love was palpable, filled with daily traditions and simple joys.
Throughout their years together, Dean supported Parton's dreams and ambitions, even as he maintained a low profile. Dolly often commented on the joy of their quiet life, sharing moments filled with love, like when Dean would surprise her with flowers in the spring. "He always brings me a bouquet when the first yellow daffodils come out," she disclosed. "And he’ll usually write me a little poem. Which to me, that’s priceless. That’s like a date in itself."
As Dolly faces life without her partner by her side, she is committed to filling the void left with cherished memories and love. "Aren't you glad we didn't have kids? Now we don't have kids to worry about," she and Dean would often reflect in their later years, grateful for the freedom it afforded them to nurture their bond. Parton's focus now, she says, is honoring the legacy and love they built together—an enduring love that truly defined their life side by side.
