Dolly Parton Reflects on Life After Husband’s Death: ‘He’s Always with Me’

Dolly Parton’s Resilience After Loss

Dolly Parton expressed that she is “doing better” than anticipated following the passing of her husband, Karl Thomas Dean.

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Tribute to a Life Together

Earlier this month, the country music icon announced that her husband had passed away at the age of 82 after nearly 60 years of marriage. “Karl and I spent many wonderful years together,” she shared in a heartfelt tribute. “Words cannot pay tribute to the love we shared for more than 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.”

In a recent interview with Knox News, Parton provided an update on her well-being following the tragic news.

“I am better than I thought,” she remarked. “I have been with him for 60 years, so I will have to retrain some things that we did together. But I will always keep him close.”

Continuing His Legacy

She recounted that Dean “suffered a lot” at the end of his life, adding, “I am in a world where he is still present, but that does not stop me from missing and loving him… This is a hole in my heart, you know, but we will fill it with good things, and he will always be with me.”

Parton and Dean met in 1964 and tied the knot two years later. Despite their long relationship, Dean was largely an elusive figure, rarely appearing in public or in photos with his wife.

Following the news of his passing, she released a poignant new single titled “If You Weren’t There” in honor of her late husband, highlighting his significance in her life and his role in shaping who she has become.

Last week, Parton made her first public appearance since his death to celebrate the 40th anniversary of her theme park, Dollywood, located in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. In a brief message to her friends and fans, she expressed gratitude for all the flowers, postcards, and well wishes she received.

Remembering Karl Dean, she referenced her classic song “I Will Always Love You”: “You know, I loved him. Of course, I will always love him… and I will always love you.” She also mentioned that Dean’s death would likely not impact her performances: “He would want me to work today. I expect that I will continue to work.”

Subsequently, she delivered an acoustic performance titled “Celebrate the Dreamer in You.”

In other news, she also shared the basic guidelines she established with Sabrina Carpenter before recording their collaborative version of the hit 2024 song, “Please, Please”: “I told her, I said: ‘Now, I’m not cursing, I do not laugh at Jesus. I’m not talking about God, and I don’t say dirty words on camera, though it is known if I get quite angry.’ ” Field