It is rare to see Dolly Parton without a smile on her face, even in the wake of losing her beloved husband of almost 60 years.
But Dolly found herself overwhelmed by emotion when she appeared on “The Today Show” live to talk about the 40th anniversary of Dollywood.
The legendary singer was clearly caught off guard when Savannah Guthrie brought up the passing of Carl Dean, saying, “You’re just such a light Dolly, and we were so sad to hear about the loss of Carl, your beloved Carl, your husband of more than 58-years. I always loved it over the years how you’d talk about him. I mean, you guys were such partners.” She continued to talk as the show showed old pictures of Dolly and Carl, and you could hear Dolly reacting in the background. “How are you doing? I’m sure you miss him a lot,” Guthrie continued.
Dolly’s answer came with an obvious tremble in her voice as she said, “Oh, you know what, I get very emotional when people bring it up,” she said. “But we were together 60 years. I’ve loved him since I was 18 years old. And uh, it’s a big adjustment just trying to change patterns and habits.”
But the sunny singer quickly recovered her positivity, saying, “But I’ll do fine, and I’m very involved in my work and that’s been the best thing that could happen to me,” she said. “But I’ll always miss him, of course, and always love him. He was a great partner to me.”
Dolly Says She Feels Her Fans’ Love and Support
Gutherie told her she hopes Dolly feels all the love of fans wrapped around her.
Dolly replied, “I’m so thankful. I got so many cards and letters from all over the world. I had no idea Carl Dean was so famous!”
Dolly has soldiered on in the wake of her loss, even showing up for the opening of “Dollywood’s” 40th year.
In fact, it was her first public appearance after Dean’s death.
Parton told the opening day crowd, “I just wanted you to know that of course I will always love him and I miss him. But I want you to know that I always love you. He would want me to be working today.”
While she thanked the crowd for their flowers, cards and well-wishes, Dolly was still able to keep her famous sense of humor. When Dollywood President Eugene Naughton told park visitors, “There have been some significant facelifts to areas around,” Parton quipped, “Well, I always say: if you see something sagging, dragging and bagging, you need to get it nipped, tucked or sucked.”
Dolly Parton Exhibit Will Soon Open at Country Music Hall of Fame
Fans of Parton will soon have a new way to immerse themselves in all things Dolly.
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville will go full Parton May 20 when it opens “Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker.” It will remain open until September 2026.
The exhibit will walk fans of the legendary singer-songwriter through more than six decades of Dolly’s extraordinary career. From her humble beginnings in Sevier County, Tennessee, where Dolly Rebecca Parton grew up as the fourth of 12 children in a one-room cabin in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains… all the way through her rise to become one of the most beloved superstars in the world.
In a statement about the honor in a CMHOF press release, Dolly said, “Being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame was one of the greatest moments of my life, and being able to have a personal exhibit for the fans that put me there is a very big deal to me. This seeker is very proud and honored, and I hope you enjoy my journey. I will always love you.”
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Dolly Parton Shows Her Grief in Rare Moment