Dolly Parton, the undisputed queen of country music, is showing resilience after the heartbreaking loss of her husband, Carl Dean.
Less than two weeks after Dean’s passing at the age of 82, Parton made her first public appearance at Dollywood’s 40th grand opening, where she shared an emotional update on how she’s coping with life without her partner of nearly 60 years.
Dolly Parton on Life After Carl Dean’s Passing
During an interview with Knox News, Parton opened up about her grief, saying:
“I’m doing better than I thought I would. I’ve been with him 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 that despite the immense loss, she is finding comfort in humor and joy:
“I need to laugh. I need some fun, so I’m probably gonna be stupid. I’ve been crying enough the last week or two… I’m at peace that he’s at peace, but that don’t keep me from missing him and loving him.”
Parton also revealed that Dean had endured significant suffering in his final days, and though she feels a deep void, his spirit remains with her:
“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.”
Carl Dean’s Private Visits to Dollywood
While Carl Dean was famously private, Dolly shared a rare glimpse into his life and his visits to Dollywood. Despite being married to one of the most recognizable faces in the world, Dean preferred to experience the theme park like any other guest—buying his own ticket and blending into the crowd.
“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.”
Although he avoided the spotlight, he enjoyed observing and even offering suggestions to improve the park:
“He’d come up to East Tennessee to see some of my family and people that he loved of my people. And so, he’d just think, ‘Well, I think I’ll go to Dollywood, check things out.’ He would say, ‘You need more bathrooms.’ Or he would say, ‘You need to tell them this or that.’”
Dolly fondly recalled how he always had an eye for the little details, helping her perfect the Dollywood experience for visitors.
A Love Story for the Ages
Dolly and Carl’s love story is one for the history books. The two met outside of the Wishy Washy laundromat in Nashville in 1964—the very day Dolly moved to Music City to pursue her career. After dating for two years, they secretly tied the knot in Ringgold, Georgia, against her record label’s wishes, with only Dolly’s mother present as a witness.
Over the decades, Dean remained out of the public eye but was a steadfast supporter of Dolly’s legendary career. Even though fans rarely saw him, his influence in her life was immeasurable.
