Country music icon Dolly Parton has been photographed for the first time since the tragic death of her beloved husband Carl Dean two weeks ago as she returned to the stage
Music icon Dolly Parton has broken cover for the first time since the heartbreaking loss of her husband. The country star, 79, sadly announced the death of her beloved husband Carl Dean, 82, after nearly 60 years of marriage as she praised their “many wonderful years together.”
He died in Nashville, where the couple have always lived and will be laid to rest in a private ceremony attended by immediate family. Dolly shared the devastating news at the start of the month and has now been seen for the first time.
She returned to stage on the opening night of her Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony’ Tour in Nashville, Tennessee. A statement released on behalf of Dolly to announced the news of her husband’s death read: “Carl Dean, husband of Dolly Parton, passed away on March 3rd in Nashville at the age of 82. He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family attending. He was survived by his siblings Sandra and Donnie. Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy. The family has asked for privacy during this difficult time.”
The couple had been together since 1964 and married since 1966 – and later renewed their vows in 2016 to mark their 50th anniversary. Following Carl’s death, Dolly released her poignant new single If You Hadn’t Been There in honour of her late husband. She described the significance he had in her life and Carl’s role in her becoming the person she is.
Dolly managed to paint on a smile as she attended the event in Nashville on Thursday evening. She made sure to turn up in her iconic glam as she wore a her signature platinum blonde hair and a black rhinestone-embellished dress. The country star appeared on the Schermerhorn Symphony Center stage as she spoke to the audience before Nashville Symphony Orchestra performed.
Threads: My Songs In Symphony will next take place in Fort Wayne on May 17 and tour different cities until May next year. Her appearance comes just after she gave an update as to how she is grieving her husband. “I’m doing better than I thought I would,” she told Knox News. “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 explained Carl “suffered a great deal” towards the end of his life and shared: “I’m at peace that he’s at peace, but that don’t keep me from missing him and loving him… 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 and Carl chose to keep their love life very private, yet the singer has shared insights through her songs – especially her biggest hit Jolene. Since Carl’s death, Dolly surprised fans when she took to the stage of her Dollywood theme park where she kicked off celebrations.
The star told her audience that she was confident that her late husband would have wanted her to attend the event and begin the celebrations. And she also opened up about the everlasting love that she holds for her late husband.
The singer said, per WVLT: “Of course I will always love him, and I’ll miss him, but I wanted you to know that I will always love you.” Dolly then shared details of the next few months of celebrations for Dollywood before bowing out after performing Celebrate the Dreamer In You.
Following the sad news of Carl’s death, Dolly was inundated with messages of support and condolences. In a subsequent message to fans, the singer wrote: “Thank you for all the messages, cards, and flowers that you’ve sent to pay your respects for the loss of my beloved husband Carl.
“I can’t reach out personally to each of you but just know it has meant the world to me. He is in God’s arms now and I am okay with that. I will always love you.”