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Dolly Parton says she “has not stopped crying” over the beautiful finale performance of “I Will Always Love You” at the Opry 100 celebration.

Dolly Parton’s husband of 58 years, Carl Dean, passed away on March 3 at the age of 82. A week later, she made a surprise appearance at Dollywood to kick off the theme park’s 40th anniversary celebration. She also granted a few interviews and addressed her husband’s recent death.

During an interview with Knox News, the 79-year-old star said that she is doing better than she expected.

“I’ve been with him 60 years. So, I’m going to have to relearn some of the things that we’ve done. But I’ll keep him always close,” she told the outlet. “I’m at peace that he’s at peace, but that don’t keep me from missing him and loving him.”

She added that Dean had “suffered a great deal” before his death. “It’s a hole in my heart, you know, but we’ll fill that up with good stuff and he’ll still always be with me,”

Dolly’s Opry 100 Tribute

Dolly Parton didn’t attend the Grand Ole Opry’s centennial celebration, but her presence was very much felt. Not only did she appear in video message, but she received two tribute performances.

Carly Pearce, who left home at 16 to be a performer at Dollywood, took the stage to honor Dolly with a cover of her iconic hit, “Jolene.”

But, perhaps the most moving tribute came at the end of the live 3-hour show when roughly 50 living Opry members gathered on stage to sing “I Will Always Love You.” Before the performance, Dolly appeared on screen to share her Opry story.

“I wanted to be on the Grand Ole Opry my whole life when I was a little kid, cause that’s just what you do when you sing country music, that’s where you want to go,” she said. “And I am proud to say that my family, all the folks at the Grand Ole Opry, are very near and dear to me. And I have been a member of the Opry for 56 years.” 

Lady A, Reba McEntire, and Carrie Underwood led the star-studded tribute to Parton.

The day after the celebration, Dolly issued a statement sharing her emotional reaction to the special moment.

“I have not stopped crying over the beautiful tribute of ‘I Will Always Love You’ on the 100th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry show,” she wrote. “All those beautiful people with their beautiful voices singing my song as a tribute to my husband Carl … the emotion was beyond words. I have cried enough to wash a great deal of the pain away.”

Dolly Parton and Carl Dean’s Relationship

Dolly met Carl Dean the day she arrived in Nashville to pursue a music career. She was only 18 when she met her future husband at the Wishy Washy laundromat. In a rare statement, Carl once admitted that he knew right away he was going to marry her.

“I’m gonna marry that girl. My second thought was, ‘Lord, she’s good lookin.’ And that was the day my life began,” Dean said in a rare public statement.

RELATED: 7 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DOLLY PARTON’S PRIVATE HUSBAND, CARL DEAN

The couple said “I do” two years later and maintained a strong and unique relationship. While Dolly quickly became one of the most beloved and recognizable figures in the entertainment industry, Carl chose to stay out of the limelight and live a very private life.

Dean owned and operated his own asphalt paving business while Dolly was on the road. The couple cherished their time at home together, often going camping and enjoying late-night Taco Bell runs.

Throughout her career, Dolly only praised her husband and his quiet nature, making him a solid, steady source of strength for her in an industry where that is hard to find.

Carl Dean died March 3, 2025, at the age of 82.

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