Dolly Parton Honors Late Husband Carl Dean in Her First Public Appearance Since His Passing

Just days after the heartbreaking loss of her beloved husband Carl Dean, Dolly Parton made a surprise public appearance to celebrate a milestone close to her heart: the 40th anniversary of Dollywood.

Carl Dean, Dolly’s husband of 58 years, passed away on March 3, 2025. Dolly shared the news through a heartfelt message on social media, writing:
👉 “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years.”

In a follow-up post, she thanked fans for their overwhelming support and shared that she was at peace knowing Carl was now “in God’s arms.” She also announced a new tribute song titled “If You Hadn’t Been There”, written for her upcoming musical about her life—a deeply personal dedication to Carl and the love they shared:
👉 “He will always be the star of my life story, and I dedicate this song to him.”

An Emotional Return to Dollywood 💐🎤

On March 14, Dolly made her first public appearance since Carl’s passing. Though it was uncertain whether she would attend the annual Dollywood event, she surprised a crowd of season pass holders by walking onto the stage, met with a wave of applause, tears, and admiration.

With grace and vulnerability, Dolly addressed her loss:
👉 “I just want to take a minute to thank all of you for all of the flowers and cards and the well wishes for the loss of Carl. You know how I loved him. He would want me to be working today. I will always love him. And I will always miss him.”

Later, during lighthearted banter with Dollywood President Eugene Naughton, she showed her trademark resilience and humor—even through grief.
👉 “I said I need to laugh. I need some fun, so I’m probably gonna be stupid. I’ve been crying enough the last week or two…”

A New Season Full of Heart

As Dollywood enters its 40th season, the park will honor its legacy and Dolly’s enduring spirit through festivals like the I Will Always Love You Music Festival, Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration, and the debut of a new stage show titled “Play On.”

Other new additions include a restaurant and the transformation of the Heartsong Theater into the Imagination Playhouse—a nod to Dolly’s commitment to inspiring young hearts through music and storytelling.

Even in grief, Dolly continues to uplift others, showing us all what it means to love deeply, live fully, and carry on with grace.

🎥 Watch Dolly speak about Carl and her touching return to Dollywood below. 👇👇👇