Dolly Parton Finds Strength in Faith and New Dreams After Losing Husband of Nearly 60 Years

Dolly Parton, the beloved country music icon and entrepreneurial powerhouse, is opening up about the profound loss of her husband, Carl Dean, and how her unwavering faith continues to guide her through the waves of grief.

Parton, now 79, lost her husband of nearly six decades this March. Carl Dean, the famously private man who inspired some of Dolly’s most iconic songs—including the timeless “Jolene”—passed away at 82, leaving a void in the superstar’s life. Yet, as she has done throughout her career, Dolly is leaning into her faith and her creative passions to carry her forward.

“I am a person of faith, and I truly believe that I’m going to see him again someday,” Dolly shared in a recent interview. “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. You just kind of have to learn to make new plans—but that’s the hardest part.”

Despite her grief, Dolly remains as busy as ever. She’s promoting a new line of Southern-inspired frozen meals, following the runaway success of her Duncan Hines baking mixes. She’s also preparing to release a new book, “Star of the Show,” inspired by a song she wrote years ago, which chronicles her extraordinary journey on the road and behind the scenes.

And that’s not all. Dolly’s life story is set to hit the stage in “Dolly: An Original Musical,” featuring both her greatest hits and brand-new songs. The musical will debut at the Fisher Center for Performing Arts at Belmont University in Nashville before heading to Broadway next year.

Reflecting on her legendary career, Dolly remains humble. “I don’t think about my life in terms of ‘superstar.’ I’m just a workin’ girl,” she laughs. “I always say I am a workhorse that looks like a show horse. My husband always said, ‘If anybody was ever born to be a star, it’s you.’ He saw how much I loved doing all the things I do—it’s playtime for me, but I take it very seriously.”

Dollywood, her iconic theme park, is also celebrating its 40th anniversary. Dolly jokes about finally getting her own “Dollywood” sign on the hill, a dream she held since imagining swapping the “H” in Hollywood for a “D.” For her, the park’s anniversary is another bittersweet milestone, a reminder of the many years she shared with Carl and the countless dreams they built together.

While the pain of loss lingers, Dolly Parton’s resilience shines brighter than ever. She continues to inspire millions, proving that even in the face of heartbreak, faith, love, and a relentless drive to create can light the way forward.