Dolly Parton continues to pay tribute to her late husband, Carl Dean, following his passing on March 3.
The country music legend, who confirmed his death and later shared that she found solace in the idea of an afterlife, released a heartfelt song in his honor. Since his passing at age 82, Parton has largely stayed out of the public eye.
However, she recently made her first public appearance, surprising fans at Dollywood’s Celebrity Theater as the park launched its 40th season.
Just 11 days after Dean’s passing in Nashville, Parton took to the stage and spoke about the deep love she shared with her husband of over six decades.
“I will always love him, and I’ll miss him dearly,” she told the audience. “But I want you all to know that I will always love you, too.”
Her emotional remarks followed her initial Instagram announcement, where she expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support.
“This is a love note to my family, friends, and fans,” she wrote. “Thank you for all the kind messages, cards, and flowers in honor of my beloved Carl.”
She acknowledged that while she couldn’t personally thank everyone, the support had been deeply meaningful. She also referenced her iconic 1974 song, I Will Always Love You, writing, “He is in God’s arms now, and I am at peace with that. I will always love you.”
On March 7, Parton released a song dedicated to Dean titled If You Hadn’t Been There.
Parton and Dean tied the knot on May 30, 1966. Despite her rise to superstardom, he remained a private figure, avoiding the limelight.
Though she previously admitted to an “affair of the heart” during their marriage, she credited her faith for helping her overcome challenges. To reaffirm their commitment, the couple renewed their vows in 2016 on their 50th wedding anniversary.
“If I had the chance to do it all again, I absolutely would,” Parton had said at the time. “And we did—though I had to drag him kicking and screaming into the next 50 years.”
