” Of course I will always love him, and I’ll miss him, but I wanted… ” – Dolly Parton made her first public appearance since the passing of her beloved husband, Carl Dean, and her emotions were palpable. Dressed in a somber yet elegant outfit, the country music icon held back tears as she spoke about the man who had been by her side for nearly six decades. With a voice full of love and loss, she shared heartfelt words about their life together, leaving the audience deeply moved. How is Dolly coping with this heartbreaking loss, and what did she reveal about Carl that fans had never heard before?

Dolly Parton has been honoring her late husband, Carl Dean, following his passing on March 3. In the wake of his death at 82, the country music icon released a touching song in his memory and reflected on the deep love they shared. After staying out of the public eye for a short time, Parton made her first public appearance at Dollywood’s 40th season launch, where she spoke emotionally about Carl and expressed her enduring love for him.

During her appearance at Dollywood’s Celebrity Theater, Parton shared with the audience that she would always love and miss Carl, but also conveyed her love for her fans. Her message followed her Instagram tribute, where she thanked fans, friends, and family for their support, mentioning the flowers, cards, and kind words she received. In her message, she referenced her iconic song, I Will Always Love You, and found comfort in the belief that Carl was now in God’s care, expressing peace with his passing.

On March 7, Parton released a song titled If You Hadn’t Been There, dedicated to Carl. The couple, married in 1966, remained deeply connected despite Parton’s fame. Though Carl preferred privacy and avoided the spotlight, their enduring love was clear, and they even renewed their vows in 2016. Parton has often spoken about their marriage, including overcoming challenges, and reaffirmed her commitment with the sentiment, “If I had the chance to do it all again, I absolutely would.”