On a sunny spring afternoon, Dolly Parton waved to a cheering crowd from a parade float at her beloved Tennessee theme park, Dollywood. The 78-year-old country music icon, known for her radiant smile, captivated fans as always. Yet, beneath her familiar grin lay a heart heavy with recent loss. In a heartfelt interview with TODAY on May 2, Parton opened up about the profound sorrow she’s been navigating since the sudden passing of her husband, Carl Dean, in early March.
Parton and Dean shared nearly six decades together, having met when she was just 18. His death left an immense void in her life. When gently asked how she was coping, Parton reflected, “When you’ve loved someone since you were 18 years old, it’s a big adjustment trying to change patterns and habits.” Despite her deep grief, she has thrown herself into her work, describing it as “the best thing that could happen.” Still, she confessed, “I’ll always miss him, and of course, I’ll always love him.”
A viral moment from the interview captured a young fan’s astonished joy upon seeing Parton enter the Spirit of America Parade at Dollywood. Parton laughed at the child’s wide-eyed reaction, but the moment stirred raw emotions. “I was still dealing with Carl’s death and got very emotional that day,” she shared. “The parade van booed and hood for the longest time, feeling all that love and emotion.” Though surrounded by fans chanting her name, Parton allowed herself a private moment of release, crying alone in the back of her tour vehicle, away from the spotlight.
In March, Parton announced Dean’s passing on Instagram, paying tribute to his quiet devotion and steadfast presence. “Words can’t do justice to the love we shared over 60 years,” she wrote. Dean, who survived her siblings Sandra and Donnie, was laid to rest in a private ceremony. He was Parton’s unwavering rock through the dizzying highs of stardom and the inevitable lows of life.
Now, Parton balances performances, philanthropic work, and the bustling demands of Dollywood, carrying Carl’s memory with every wave to fans and every autograph signed. “I’m doing fine with my work,” she told TODAY, recognizing that staying busy helps her keep moving forward. Her openness about grief serves as a powerful reminder that even legends, whose songs have brought joy to millions, are not immune to loss. By sharing the tears she sheds in private, Parton humanizes the experience of mourning, showing that vulnerability and resilience can coexist.
As visitors flock to Dollywood and remember the viral clip of Parton’s radiant parade entrance, her true victory lies in allowing herself to feel deeply and begin healing once the crowds fade away.
