Dolly Parton is taking a step back from her music career as she processes the loss of her beloved husband, Carl Dean. The 79-year-old country music legend shared on Khloé in Wonder Land, a podcast hosted by Khloé Kardashian, that the death of her husband in March 2025 has impacted her songwriting.
Dolly Parton Reflects on Her Grief
Parton and Dean were married for nearly 60 years before his passing, and while she has rarely spoken publicly about their relationship since, she opened up during the podcast about how deeply his death has affected her.
When asked by Kardashian about writer’s block, Parton revealed that she’s been struggling with the desire to write, but feels she cannot fully dive into her creative process at the moment.
“There are several things I have wanted to start, but I can’t do it,” Parton explained. “I will later. I’m just coming up with such wonderful, beautiful ideas, but I think I won’t finish it. I can’t do it right now, because I got so many other things.” She added, “I can’t afford the luxury of, you know, getting that emotional right now.”
While Parton acknowledged that grief can slow her creative flow, she assured her fans she will write again when the time is right. “I’m just putting that all on hold,” she said.
Honoring Carl Dean’s Memory
Earlier this summer, Parton honored what would have been her 59th wedding anniversary with Dean by visiting the church in Ringgold, Georgia, where they were married in 1966.
Reflecting on their cherished memories, Parton shared that they would often celebrate their anniversary with a picnic, making the visit to the church an emotional and meaningful tribute.
During her appearance on FOX News’ America Reports, Parton revealed that visiting the church felt like a way to keep Dean close. “I have got to go back and just take a picture on that — on the same steps at that same church,” she said.
“I felt like he was there with me.” Her faith has also been a source of strength during this time of loss. “I am a person of faith, even though I lost him on this earthly plane, and I will miss him every day,” she added. “But knowing that I will see him again and knowing that he’s in God’s arms now and not mine.”
Moving Forward with Grief
Parton has expressed that while she will always miss Dean, she finds comfort in the idea that he is now at peace. “There’s a part of me that’s happy he’s at peace and at rest,” she said. “But then of course, there’s that part of me that will miss him forever and long for him every day. For the rest of my life, I’m sure.”
The country icon shared that she is adjusting to life without him but carries his memory in her heart. “He’s still in my heart and in my memories,” she said. While she continues to navigate this period of deep grief, Parton remains hopeful that she will find peace and healing in time.
