DOLLY PARTON OPENS UP ABOUT HER HUSBAND’S PASSING, FINDING JOY AT 79, AND STAYING TRUE TO HERSELF
At 79 years old, Dolly Parton is showing the world once again that strength, grace, and faith can turn even the deepest sorrow into light. The country music icon has opened up for the first time about the passing of her beloved husband, Carl Dean, sharing how she’s learning to find peace, purpose, and joy in this new chapter of her life — while staying true to the woman she’s always been.
Dolly and Carl’s love story began in 1964, outside a Nashville laundromat. She was 18, he was 21, and from that moment, their connection never wavered. They married two years later, in a small, private ceremony in Georgia — away from the cameras and the chaos of fame — and spent nearly six decades together, building a bond that endured through every challenge and every triumph.
When Carl passed away earlier this year at the age of 82, Dolly described the loss as “the hardest thing I’ve ever faced.” Speaking softly about her grief, she said, “It’s a hole in my heart that will never truly heal. But I thank God for every day I got to love him — and for every day he loved me.”
Despite the pain, Dolly has chosen to keep moving forward — with gratitude, music, and the same unwavering spirit that has carried her through life’s storms. “Carl wouldn’t want me to stop,” she said. “He always told me, ‘You were born to shine, so don’t ever dim your light.’ So I keep singing, I keep writing, and I keep smiling — for him.”
Finding joy again, she explained, means celebrating the simple things: mornings on her porch with coffee, time with family, laughter with friends, and her never-ending creative projects. “Music still gives me life,” she shared. “It’s my therapy, my joy, and my way of keeping Carl close. I still talk to him, you know — I tell him what I’m doing, and sometimes I can almost hear him laughing back at me.”
Her faith has been her anchor through it all. “I believe we’ll see each other again,” she said firmly. “That’s what keeps me going. I know he’s in a beautiful place, and I feel his presence with me — every song I write, every step I take.”
Even as she grieves, Dolly continues to embody positivity and authenticity. She recently appeared at Dollywood’s season opening and performed at several charity events, drawing strength from her fans and community. “They’ve lifted me up when I needed it most,” she said. “I’ve always believed that sharing love and kindness keeps your heart full — and mine is overflowing.”
When asked about her secret to staying true to herself after nearly 60 years in the public eye, Dolly smiled that familiar, dazzling smile and said, “I just keep being me. I’m still that little girl from East Tennessee with big dreams, big hair, and a big heart. I never tried to be anyone else — and I think that’s the real secret to happiness.”
As she looks toward the future — with new music, new projects, and her trademark sparkle — Dolly Parton remains exactly what the world needs her to be: a living reminder that love endures, faith heals, and joy can be found even after heartbreak.
“I’ve had a wonderful life,” she said softly. “And even though I miss him every single day, I know Carl would want me to keep shining — so that’s what I’ll do. I’ll keep shining, I’ll keep singing, and I’ll keep loving life. Because that’s what he gave me — the courage to never stop.”