Dolly Parton Claims To See Her Late Husband 'Every Day' Since His Passing

Dolly Parton is opening up about the deep heartache she's faced and the strength she's drawn from her faith following the death of her beloved husband, Carl Dean.

Although she admits the loneliness is still hard to navigate, Dolly Parton says she feels Dean's presence every day.

In a new interview with the Associated Press, the country music legend shared that her enduring faith has been a guiding light in the wake of Dean's passing in March.

"I am a person of faith, and I truly believe that I'm going to see him again someday," she said. "And I see him every day in my memories and in my heart, and in all the things that we used to do and all the things that we've built together. You just kind of have to learn to kind of make new plans, but that's the hardest part."

Dean, who married Parton in 1966, kept an infamously low profile throughout their nearly 60-year marriage. But behind the scenes, he was always one of her biggest champions.

"He was very proud of me," she added, noting how his quiet support continues to motivate her. "So when I did lose him, I just thought, well, I'm going to take all of that energy, and I'm just going to put that back into other things, and I'll keep him ever-present in everything that I do."

Appearing on "TODAY" earlier this month from Dollywood, an emotional Parton reflected on the emotional toll Dean's loss had taken on her, and the unexpected way the public's response touched her heart.

"I'm so thankful. I've gotten so many cards, letters, and flowers from all over the world," she shared. "I had no idea Carl Dean was so famous," she added with a laugh, noting how her husband had always preferred staying out of the limelight.

One moment that particularly resonated was during a Dollywood parade, when the wave of support from fans became overwhelming.

"I got very emotional that day," Parton recalled. "Right after I had lost Carl, and I was just so bottled up with emotion, and I got in the van and just boo-hooed for the longest time, just feeling all that love and emotion."

"I just try to go on, because I know I have to," she said. "And he was ill for quite a while, and part of me was at peace that he was at peace and not suffering anymore. But that still doesn't make up for the loss."

Dolly Parton has written hundreds of songs and penned some of the most iconic tracks in music history, but when it comes to choosing her proudest songwriting moment, the country music legend isn't going with the chart-toppers.

In a heartfelt new interview with The Guardian, the "Jolene" singer revealed that her most personal and cherished song is 1971's "Coat of Many Colors," a track inspired by her childhood growing up in rural Tennessee.

"Well, I'm proud of all of them," she said. "I think the one that's most personal to me is the lil' 'Coat of Many Colors,' because it talks about my mom, my parents, and kind of gives you an insight. It also covers bullying, acceptance, and all that."

The touching ballad tells the story of Parton's mother sewing her a patchwork coat from rags, a gift of love that classmates mocked, but one that left a lasting impact on the future star's heart.

Of course, that doesn't mean she isn't proud of her blockbuster hits.

"The one that's most recorded is 'Jolene.' That seems to be the favorite," Parton said. "Do you know that song has been recorded, somebody told me, 450 times in the last 52 years? I'm so proud of it." She also acknowledged the timelessness of her other signature song, "I Will Always Love You," calling it "one of the great love songs" she's ever written.

And Parton's storytelling journey is far from over because the Grammy winner recently announced that her life story is heading to Broadway in 2026 in a brand-new musical titled "Hello, I'm Dolly," named after her 1967 debut album.