Dolly Parton Thinks Her Late Husband Wants Her To Keep Going

Dolly Parton and Carl Dean shared an incredible 60-year marriage, yet they managed to keep much of their life together private. While Dolly shined in the spotlight, Dean preferred to stay behind the scenes, rarely giving interviews or posing for photos. Still, their love story was reflected in many of Dolly’s heartfelt songs, like “Forever Love” and “From Here to the Moon and Back.”

Sadly, Carl Dean passed away on March 3 at the age of 82. After spending most of her life with him, Dolly took time away from the public eye to grieve. However, on March 14, she made a surprise appearance at Dollywood, marking her first public event since his passing.

Dolly’s Emotional Return to Dollywood

Dollywood kicked off its 40th operating season with a special sneak peek event for season pass holders on March 14. Fans were thrilled—and moved—when Dolly Parton herself took the stage at 11 a.m. to address the crowd.

Before anything else, Dolly took a moment to acknowledge her heartbreaking loss and thank her fans for their support. “He would expect me to be workin’ today, so I expect to be workin’,” she said about her late husband.

She also reassured the audience that, while she will always love and miss him, she remains grateful for the love she’s received.

“Of course, I will always love him, and I’ll miss him, but I wanted you to know that I will always love you.”

After answering a few questions about Dollywood’s latest updates, she closed the event with a special performance of her 2012 song, “Celebrate the Dreamer in You.”

Dolly’s Tribute to Carl Dean

Following Carl Dean’s passing, Dolly shared a heartfelt statement with fans, referring to it as “a love note to family, friends, and fans.” She wrote:

“He is in God’s arms now and I am okay with that.
“I will always love you.”

Just four days later, on March 7, Dolly released a deeply personal new song, “If You Hadn’t Been There,” dedicated to her late husband. She wrote:

“I fell in love with Carl Dean when I was 18 years old.
“We have spent 60 precious and meaningful years together. Like all great love stories, they never end. They live on in memory and song. He will always be the star of my life story, and I dedicate this song to him.”

Though she’s facing an unimaginable loss, Dolly Parton continues to find strength in music, memories, and the love of her fans.