Dolly Parton is opening up about how deeply moved she was by a tribute to her late husband, Carl Dean, as she continues to grieve his passing.
On Friday, March 21, the Jolene singer took to her Instagram Story to share the emotions she felt after watching Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, Lady A, and the Opry’s choir perform her iconic song I Will Always Love You at the Opry 100 Special earlier in the week.
The heartfelt performance honored both Parton and Dean. (Dean, whom Parton was married to for nearly 60 years, passed away in Nashville on March 3 at the age of 82.)
“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,” Parton, 79, wrote via Instagram.
“All those beautiful people with all 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 so thanks to all of you beautiful people that helped make that possible.”
She concluded her post with a touching message: “I also will always love you.”
The country legend first shared the news of her husband’s passing on March 3 through an emotional Instagram statement.
“Carl and I spent many wonderful years together,” Parton wrote. “Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.”
As she continues to navigate life without him, Parton provided an update on how she’s been coping during an interview, published on March 17.
“I’m doing better than I thought I would. 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 shared with the outlet.
“I’m at peace that he’s at peace, but that don’t keep me from missing him and loving him,” Parton added.
Though Dean largely avoided the spotlight throughout their marriage, Parton has spoken about their bond in past interviews, often sharing glimpses of their relationship.
“We’re the perfect partners,” Parton exclusively told in January 2022. “We both have a great sense of humor. … We’re able to solve any problem and any situation, making a joke about it and not letting it get too heavy, but we respect each other and we like each other. We lucked up, let’s put it that way.”
She continued: “You know, most people can keep a marriage [going strong] if you make a little effort. Some people just get slouching and lazy and about stuff that ain’t important, like leaving the toilet seat up. And if that’s the worst thing you’ve to worry about, you’re already in trouble.”
