Dolly Parton recently opened up about life after the passing of her husband, Carl Dean, whom she shared 60 years of romance with. During an appearance on “Today,” the 79-year-old country legend shared her feelings about the loss of Dean, who died at 82 in March.
“Honestly, when people bring it up, it hits me hard,” Parton admitted, her voice trembling. “We had such a long time together. I’ve loved him since I was just 18 years old.”
She mentioned how adjusting to life without him has been challenging. “It’s a huge change to shift habits and routines,” she explained. “But staying busy with work helps me a lot.”
Despite her busy schedule, she expressed how much she misses Dean every day. “I still love him immensely. He was an incredible partner,” she said fondly.
Parton also shared her appreciation for the outpouring of love she’s received since Dean’s death. “I didn’t expect so much support — cards, letters, flowers from all over,” she reflected. Playfully, she added, “I didn’t think Carl was that famous!”
Throughout their nearly six decades of marriage, Dean remained quite private, choosing to stay out of the spotlight while being a strong support for Parton. She once described him as someone who was “mysterious for the public” and emphasized how her career and personal life felt beautifully separate yet harmonious.
Parton and Dean first crossed paths in 1964 at a Nashville laundromat, and they tied the knot just two years later. Though Dean rarely gave interviews, in 2016, he fondly recalled their first meeting during their 50th wedding anniversary. “I knew right away that I wanted to marry that girl,” he reminisced.
In her recent interview, Parton also shared an endearing moment from Dollywood’s opening day parade, where a young boy’s genuine excitement when seeing her made her heart swell. “I thought, ‘Are you going to pass out right here?’” she laughed, recalling how touching it was.
Coming just after her first public appearance post-Dean’s death, Parton revealed feelings of deep emotion while participating in the event for Dollywood’s 40th anniversary. “That day filled me with love, but also sadness,” she confessed. “I ended up crying a bit in the van afterward, feeling all the emotions.”
Parton announced Dean’s passing with heartfelt words on Instagram in early March, expressing gratitude for their years together. “We shared some beautiful times,” she noted. “Words can’t really describe that kind of love.”
In a subsequent tribute, she released a song called “If You Didn’t Go There,” sharing more memories about their life together. “We had 60 precious years,” she wrote, underscoring the idea that true love never really ends.
Reflecting on her journey after losing him, Parton concluded, “I’m managing better than I thought I would. I’ll relearn how to do things without him, but he’ll always be in my heart. It still hurts, you know? There’s a hole, but I fill it with love and memories.”
