Dolly Parton has revealed the trials and tribulations of losing her beloved husband, Carl Dean, following his death on March 3, 2025.

The 79-year-old American singer-songwriter and musician showed up on the Today show on Friday, May 2, from Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., where she talked about Dean despite getting emotional throughout the show.

While conversing with the host Savannah Guthrie, Parton said, “Oh, you know what, I get very emotional when people bring it up. But we were together 60 years. I’ve loved him since I was 18 years old.”

Living without him is “a big adjustment just trying to change patterns and habits. I’ll do fine, and I’m very involved in my work and that’s been the best thing that could happen to me. But I’ll always miss him, of course, and always love him. He was a great partner to me.”

However, even though the Powerful Woman crooner’s grief is huge, she is grateful for the love she has been showered with since the passing of her husband.

“I’m so thankful. I’ve gotten so many cards, letters, flowers, from all over the world. I had no idea Carl Dean was so famous,” Porton noted.