Defying her father’s wishes not to get involved “with a strange man,” Dolly Parton met future husband Carl Dean at the Wishy Washy laundromat shortly after her arrival in Nashville. That chance meeting turned into a 60-year commitment, with the two privately cherishing each other until Dean’s death at age 82 in March 2025.

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Nearly four months since her husband’s passing, Dolly admits she is still picking up the pieces. The “Jolene” songstress, 79, opened up about her grieving process during a new interview with Entertainment Tonight.

“But of course I miss him, and I’m having to really go through a lot trying to figure out how to be without him ’cause I was with him for so long,” Dolly said.

In spite of the devastating loss, the 11-time Grammy Award winner says she is “doing as well as one can after 60 years of being with and loving somebody.”

Dean “did suffer a lot” during the last few years of his life, Dolly said. And while part of her is happy that he is now at peace, “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,” she said.

Dolly Parton Is Grateful For Her Work

Although continuing to mourn her late husband, Dolly Parton is keeping busy. Among her many projects is a bucket-list item: an original musical about the “Coat Of Many Colors” singer’s life. Dolly: An Original Musical will begin performances July 18 ahead of an Aug. 8 opening night. The show is expected to run through Aug. 31.

Clearly, it takes someone special to play Queen Dolly. Actually, it takes three someones. Katie Rose Clarke, Carrie St. Louis, and Quinn Titcomb will portray the Country Music Hall of Famer at various stages of her life.

“I’ve just opened my heart and myself up to tell a lot of things that I think people will be curious about,” Dolly told Entertainment Tonight. “I don’t think it’s what anybody’s thinking. It’s going to be a lot of surprises.”

Unfortunately, Dean never got the opportunity to preview his wife’s dream project. “He has not been well for a few years now,” she said. “But he’ll see it from afar.”

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