Dolly Parton Says She’s Having “A Big Adjustment” Following the Death of Carl Dean

Dolly Parton is still getting used to living without her cherished husband, Carl Dean, and the country music legend was unable to contain her feelings as she thought about the loss once more.

Parton once revealed that she decided to concentrate on her work rather than starting a family, despite the fact that the pair was renowned for being private and never having children.

Carl Dean and Dolly Parton were wed in 1966 and remained faithful to one another for almost 60 years until his death earlier this year.

Following Carl Dean’s passing, Dolly Parton is making an effort to modify her habits.

Parton talked candidly on how she has been handling her husband’s passing, stating that it has been a significant change after 60 years of marriage. When the 79-year-old Dollywood star appeared on TODAY, she became obviously distraught as she talked about the death of her longtime companion.

Parton said to host Savannah Guthrie, “We spent 60 years together. Trying not to cry, I said, “I’ve loved him since I was eighteen.”

Parton admitted in the interview that it has been challenging to adjust to life alone, describing it as “a big adjustment” and revealing that altering her daily routines and habits has not been simple. Nevertheless, she claimed that her job has supported her throughout this time of loss:

“The best thing that could have happened to me is that I’m really committed in my profession, and I’ll be alright. Naturally, though, I will always adore him and mourn him. I had a wonderful partner in him.

The Legend of Country Music Opened Up About Grief

Parton talked further on the emotional toll of losing Dean and how much the fans’ support affected her. The superstar acknowledged that the love she has received from people all around the world has both surprised and assisted her in overcoming the loss. 

“Thank you so much. People from all over the world have sent me a ton of cards, notes, and flowers. “I didn’t realize Carl Dean was so well-known,” she said in a lighthearted tone. Dean was renowned for maintaining a low profile, remaining out of the spotlight but silently supporting Parton for 60 years.

Parton also recalled a particularly powerful experience when she was struck by the enormous support at a Dollywood parade. She stated, “I got very emotional that day,” and added:

“Right after I had lost Carl and I was just so bottled up with emotion, and I got in the van and just boo-hooed for the longest time, just feeling all that love and emotion.”

‘Jolene’ hitmaker: Losing her husband left ‘a hole in my heart’

Parton opened up about the fallout from losing her 60-year marriage a few weeks after his death, prior to her current disclosures. According to The Blast, Parton talked about her health at the Dollywood 40th anniversary party, saying, “I’m doing better than I thought I would.”

Nevertheless, the celebrity acknowledged that it was difficult to adjust to life without Dean, who had supported her for the most of her life. “I’ve spent 60 years with him. I will therefore need to re-learn some of the things we have done. But I’ll always be near him,” she declared.

Parton did not downplay the anguish, even though she was relieved that Dean was no longer in agony. According to her own words, “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.” 

The foundation of the couple’s nearly 60-year romance was privacy. 

Parton was only eighteen when the two initially met outside a Nashville laundromat. Instead of red carpets and big displays, that fortuitous meeting resulted in a lifelong connection characterized by road trips and quiet moments. 

The majority of the pictures of Dean were taken straight from Parton’s personal collection, and he hardly ever appeared in public. Despite Parton’s enormous climb to fame, the couple stayed firmly grounded in a simple existence after getting married in a low-key wedding when she was 20. 

Dean, who never pursued stardom himself, helped her out behind the scenes as she dominated the country music industry. Parton frequently mentioned that she felt content in her marriage, despite the fact that they never had children. They quietly renewed their vows at home in Nashville in 2016 to commemorate their 50th anniversary. 

Dolly Parton claimed that avoiding parenthood allowed her to concentrate on her music.

Parton was always content with the fact that she and her late beau never had children, even after spending many years together.

According to The Blast, Parton had stated in late 2023 that she had never really desired to become a mother. She had no regrets about her concentrate on music, even though she and Dean had believed early on that they might someday have children.

“I didn’t miss it as much as I had feared. “You think you’re going to have kids when you’re a young couple, but it wasn’t one of those burning things for me,” she said. 

She also acknowledged that if motherhood had entered the picture, she probably would have put her work on wait. What about bringing children into the modern world? Parton was worried. 

“I would hate to be bringing a child into the world at this time, with all that’s going on. I often say that God forbade me from having children so that I could have all of them,” she said.

Dolly Parton demonstrates that love simply finds new ways to continue after loss.