Five months after losing her husband of nearly 60 years, Dolly Parton made a shocking admission about her grief – revealing a painful truth about the death of her muse, who inspired her decades-long career.
After nearly 60 years of love, laughter, and unwavering support, country music legend Dolly Parton is opening up about the heartbreaking loss of her husband, Carl Dean, and the private pain she’s been carrying since his passing in March.
In a series of candid and emotional interviews, including one with the Associated Press and a recent appearance on Khloé Kardashian’s podcast, Khloé in Wonder Land, Parton shared the deep impact Dean’s death has had on her music, her heart, and her daily life.
‘See him every day’
Dean, Parton’s famously private husband of nearly six decades, died on March 3, 2025, at the age of 82. The couple had renewed their vows just nine years earlier, celebrating a love story that quietly stood the test of time.
The couple, who married in 1966 when Parton was just 20, shared a deep bond that stayed mostly out of the spotlight. Their love was quiet, strong, and private – just the way Dean liked it.
But, despite the heartache, Parton’s deep Christian faith continues to guide her.
“I am a person of faith, and I truly believe that I’m going to see him again someday. I see him every day in my memories and in my heart,” she told the Associated Press (AP) in a May 2025 interview.
“And I see him every day in my memories and in my heart, and in all the things that we used to do and all the things that we’ve built together.
Parton admitted that learning to make “new plans” without Dean has been the “hardest part” of moving forward – but she’s determined to honor him in everything she does.
‘At peace that he was at peace’
Though Dean had been ill for some time before his passing, the 79-year-old songstress confessed that the grief still hit hard – especially in quiet moments.
“I really feel his presence,” Parton told AP. “I just try to go on, because I know I have to…Part of me was at peace that he was at peace and not suffering anymore.
“But that still doesn’t make up for the loss and the loneliness of it,” the 10-time Grammy winner said. “My husband always said, ‘If anybody was ever born to be a star, it’s you.’”
‘Can’t do it right now’
Perhaps most surprising to fans is Parton’s revelation that her grief has stalled her songwriting – a rare struggle for the prolific artist known for churning out lyrics with ease.
“I love feeling like that I can create something, to leave something in the world today that wasn’t there yesterday…Several things I’ve wanted to start, but I can’t do it,” the country music legend told Kardashian in a July 2025 episode of Khloé in Wonder Land podcast.
“I will later, but I’m just coming up with such wonderful, beautiful ideas. But I think I won’t finish it,” said Parton, who authored the book “Star of the Show: My Life on Stage.”
“I can’t do it right now, because I got so many other things and I can’t afford the luxury of getting that emotional right now.”
“Everything begins with a story or a song,” Parton shared, reminding the audience that she is “just putting all that on hold.”
Vegas residency
Despite her taking a break from songwriting to grieve, the country music icon announced a brand-new residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, marking her first Vegas residency in over three decades. The shows are scheduled to kick off this December, giving fans a dazzling reason to look forward to the holiday season.
“I haven’t worked Vegas in years, and I’ve always loved singing there,” the “9 to 5” singer said in a statement, per USA Today. “I’m looking so forward to the shows in The Colosseum at Caesars and I hope you are as well. See you there!”
But, on June 25, the very same day tickets for “Dolly: Live in Las Vegas” went on sale, Caesars Palace announced that all six shows had completely sold out.
In a statement shared on X, the venue wrote: “The demand far exceeded the available tickets and there are no more tickets available at this time.”
Fans had waited over 32 years for Parton’s return to the Vegas stage – and within 90 minutes, according to the Hollywood Reporter – the limited run at The Colosseum was snapped up, proving the country legend’s star power is stronger than ever.
As fans around the world continue to support her through this chapter, Parton remains a picture of strength and grace. But behind the sequins and rhinestones is a woman navigating profound loss – one song, one step, one day at a time.
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