Country music legend Dolly Parton is opening up about the heartache of losing her husband of nearly six decades, Carl Dean, who died in March at age 82.

In a recent interview, the 79-year-old entertainer shared that her Christian faith has been instrumental in helping her endure the grief while continuing to focus on creative projects and honoring her husband's memory, Fox News reported.

Parton and Dean first met in 1964 and married two years later, forming a bond that lasted for over 60 years. Dean was notoriously private, avoiding public life but standing firmly behind Parton's successful career. In 2016, during their 50th wedding anniversary, he described meeting her as the beginning of his life.

Dean’s death followed a period of illness, which Parton acknowledged in her reflections. In her words, she is comforted by the thought that his suffering has ended, though she continues to navigate the loneliness that now follows. She said she still feels his presence daily and believes she will see him again.

“I feel his presence,” Parton said in her interview. “I just try to go on because I know I have to.” Although she expressed gratitude for her husband's peace, she admitted that daily life without him has not been easy.

Faith and Early Life Shape Her Outlook

Raised in a devout Christian household in rural Tennessee, Parton often credits her religious upbringing for her strength in difficult times. Her grandfather, Jake Owens, was a Pentecostal preacher, and faith has continually played a central role in her personal and professional life. In 1971, she released her first gospel album, “The Golden Streets of Glory.”

Parton has previously spoken openly about facing emotional struggles. In the early 1980s, after undergoing a medical procedure that made her unable to have children, she battled depression and even considered ending her life. As she recounted, her dog Popeye interrupted one of those moments, which she interpreted as divine intervention.

“Sometimes God just has to smack you down,” Parton said of that chapter, later adding that Popeye pulling her back was like a spiritual message. She believes that her deep connection with both God and family gave her the strength to carry on through life’s darkest moments.

Carl Dean's Quiet Impact on Her Career

Though Dean rarely spoke to the press, he had a significant presence in Parton's journey. He inspired many of her songs and was deeply proud of her relentless drive and talent. “Carl knew that better than anybody,” she said, adding that he encouraged her to keep dreaming and creating.

The couple shared a private chapel on their Tennessee farm, where they often prayed and reflected. Friends noted that their bond extended beyond physical affection and was rooted in mutual spiritual connection and understanding. Parton spoke of their shared rituals fondly, reflecting on the many years they spent side by side.

Following Dean’s passing on March 3, Parton released a heartfelt tribute on Instagram. She thanked her followers for their support and prayers and called Dean “the star of my life story.” Four days later, she released the emotional track “If You Hadn’t Been There” as a musical farewell.

Creative Drive Carries Her Forward

Despite her sorrow, Parton has made it clear that she plans to remain active in her creative projects while keeping Dean’s memory close. “When I did lose him, I just thought, ‘Well, I’m going to take all of that energy and put that back into other things.’”

Among her new endeavors is a forthcoming book titled “Star of the Show,” inspired by a song from earlier in her career. She also announced an upcoming stage production, “Dolly: An Original Musical,” that will debut at the Fisher Center for Performing Arts at Belmont University before heading to Broadway in 2026.

She’s written original songs for the production while also incorporating her well-known hits to tell her life’s story. The musical will trace her journey from her childhood in Tennessee through her rise to international acclaim, always rooted in her resilience and faith.

Grief Remains Present Amid Optimism

Speaking to Knox News two weeks after Dean’s death, Parton shared an honest glimpse into her grieving process. She admitted that she’s still figuring out how to live without him but remains hopeful and determined. “It’s a hole in my heart, you know, but we’ll fill that up with good stuff.”

Although the loss is still fresh, Parton said she finds comfort in the years they shared. “We have spent 60 precious and meaningful years together,” she wrote in a March 7 post. She emphasized that, like all great love stories, their lives on in memory and music.

For now, she’s turning to the same resilience that carried her through earlier personal challenges. “I always say—and it’s the truth—that I am a workhorse that looks like a show horse,” she said. “But I got to keep it all up, and I enjoy all of it.”