In the world of country music, Dolly Parton is a living legend, known for her infectious smile, larger-than-life personality, and timeless hits like “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You.” But beneath the rhinestones and bright stage lights, Parton has always been a woman grounded by love, faith, and family. In recent months, the 79-year-old icon has opened up about the profound grief she continues to navigate following the death of her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Thomas Dean, who passed away on March 3, 2025, at the age of 82. In heartfelt interviews and emotional tributes, Parton has shared her journey through loss, offering fans a glimpse into the raw emotions that accompany the end of a lifelong love story.

A Love Story for the Ages

Dolly Parton and Carl Dean’s romance began in 1964 outside the Wishy Washy Laundromat in Nashville, Tennessee. Parton, then just 18 and fresh off her high school graduation, had moved to Music City to chase her dreams of becoming a country music star. Dean, a tall, tanned 21-year-old, caught her eye not just with his looks but with his genuine interest in her as a person. “I was surprised and delighted that while he talked to me, he looked at my face (a rare thing for me),” Parton later recalled in an interview. “He seemed to be genuinely interested in finding out who I was and what I was about.”

Two years later, in 1966, the couple married in a quiet ceremony in Ringgold, Georgia, beginning a partnership that would span nearly six decades. Despite Parton’s meteoric rise to fame, Dean remained a steadfast but private presence in her life, shunning the spotlight and supporting her from behind the scenes. He was rarely seen in public, preferring a low-profile life, yet his unwavering support was the backbone of Parton’s extraordinary career. “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together,” Parton wrote in a statement on Instagram following his passing. “Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years.”

A Heartbreaking Loss

Dean’s death in March 2025 marked a seismic shift in Parton’s world. The couple had been inseparable since their teenage years, and adjusting to life without him has been, in Parton’s words, “a big adjustment.” During a May 2 appearance on NBC’s Today show, Parton became visibly emotional when host Savannah Guthrie asked how she was coping. “Oh, you know what, I get very emotional when people bring it up,” she said, her voice trembling as she fought back tears. “We were together 60 years. I’ve loved him since I was 18 years old.”

Parton’s grief was especially raw in the weeks following Dean’s passing. Just days after his death, she attended the opening of Dollywood’s 40th season, a milestone that might have been joyous under different circumstances. Instead, the event was bittersweet, as Parton was overwhelmed by both her loss and the outpouring of love from fans. “Right after I had lost Carl, and I was just so bottled up with emotion, I got in the van and just boo-hooed for the longest time, just feeling all that love and emotion,” she shared. A particularly poignant moment came during a Dollywood parade when an 8-year-old fan’s excited reaction to seeing Parton brought her to tears. “I got very emotional that day after the parade because there was just so much love,” she said.

Tributes That Touched Her Heart

The global response to Dean’s passing took Parton by surprise. Despite his private nature, fans and admirers from around the world sent cards, letters, and flowers, honoring the man who had been Parton’s rock for decades. “I’m so thankful. I’ve gotten so many cards, letters, flowers, from all over the world,” she said with a characteristic touch of humor. “I had no idea Carl Dean was so famous!”

One of the most moving tributes came during the Grand Ole Opry’s 100th anniversary celebration, where artists like Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, and Lady A, along with a 50-member choir, performed Parton’s iconic song “I Will Always Love You” in honor of Dean. The gesture left Parton overwhelmed. “All those beautiful people with all their beautiful voices singing my song as a tribute to my husband Carl… the emotion was beyond words,” she wrote on Instagram. “I have cried enough to wash a great deal of the pain away so thanks to all of you beautiful people that helped make that possible.”

Parton also paid tribute to Dean through her music, releasing a new ballad titled “If You Hadn’t Been There” just days after his passing. The song’s heartfelt lyrics reflect the depth of their bond: “You’ve always seen the best in me, if you hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t be here.” The release was a cathartic moment for Parton, who has long used songwriting as a way to process her emotions. “I fell in love with Carl Dean when I was 18 years old,” she wrote in a post dedicating the song to him. “Like all great love stories, they never end. They live on in memory and song.”

Finding Strength in Work and Faith

For Parton, staying busy has been a lifeline in the face of grief. “There’s no need to sit around because it’s only going to eat at her further,” she told The Today Show. In the months since Dean’s death, she has thrown herself into her work, from celebrating Dollywood’s 40th season to announcing a new children’s book, Billy the Kid Dances His Heart Out, set for release in December 2025. She also co-produced Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony, a symphonic celebration of her music, and is preparing for a Broadway musical about her life, Dolly: An Original Musical, slated for a limited run in August 2025.

Parton’s faith has also been a source of comfort. Reflecting on Dean’s final years, she noted that he had “suffered a great deal” before his death. “I’m at peace that he’s at peace, but that don’t keep me from missing him and loving him,” she said during a March 14 appearance at Dollywood. “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.”

A Private Man, A Lasting Legacy

Carl Dean’s reclusive nature made him an enigma to the public, but to Parton, he was her greatest supporter and confidant. He famously avoided the spotlight, attending only one of her performances in their 60 years together. Yet he found quiet ways to engage with her world, such as visiting Dollywood incognito, buying his own ticket to blend in with the crowd. “He didn’t want somebody giving him a ticket ‘cause he was Dolly’s husband,” Parton said with a smile.

Dean’s influence is woven into Parton’s music and legacy. Her classic song “Jolene” was inspired by a bank clerk she suspected of flirting with Dean early in their marriage, a lighthearted anecdote that underscores the trust and humor that defined their relationship. His quiet strength allowed Parton to shine, and she credits him with helping her stay grounded amid fame’s pressures. “He loved her for her, not for the rhinestones,” one fan wrote on X, capturing the essence of their bond.

Moving Forward with Love

As Parton navigates this new chapter, she remains committed to honoring Dean’s memory while embracing life’s joys. “I’m doing better than I thought I would,” she admitted during the Dollywood season opening. “I’ve been crying enough the last week or two.” Her resilience is evident in her ability to find humor and gratitude amid sorrow, a testament to the optimism that has defined her career.

For fans, Parton’s openness about her grief has only deepened their admiration. “Dolly’s love for Carl was so pure, and her honesty about her pain is heartbreaking but inspiring,” one supporter wrote on X. As she continues to create, perform, and connect with her audience, Parton carries Dean’s love with her, a guiding light in her music and her heart.

“I’ll keep him always close,” she said. “I need to laugh. I need some fun.” And with that, Dolly Parton moves forward, her voice still ringing with the love story that will forever define her.