Dolly Parton (79) said in one of her interviews that in conversations with her grandmother, she was advised to always keep something for herself. She has fulfilled this advice since she entered the entertainment world over six decades ago, as there are aspects of her life that are kept "for her and for God." She is one of the most beloved and respected figures by the American public, and despite her A-list celebrity status, no paparazzi or tabloid messes with her.
On November 3, her life changed forever. Her husband Carl Thomas Dean passed away at the age of 82 in the same discreet manner in which he lived. This is why the artist and the owner of an asphalt paving company got along so well. Each knew how to provide the level of privacy they needed without interfering with the work of the author of Jolene. "He suffered a lot. It comforts me that he is at peace, but that doesn't stop me from missing him and loving him. It's a void in my heart, you know, but we will fill it with good things and he will always be with me," the celebrity confessed to Knox News.
Dolly Parton met her husband in 1964 in the simplest way. While she was waiting for her laundry to finish at a laundromat, Dean drove by and shouted to her, "You're going to get sunburned here, miss." She commented that she was surprised by that moment, she loved that "while he was talking to me, he looked me in the face, something rare for me. He seemed genuinely interested in knowing who I was and what I did." After several years of courtship, they were married for 58 years. No crises, no children, but a lot of happiness.
Last Friday, the country legend received a well-deserved outpouring of affection from the thousands of fans who attended the celebration of the 40th anniversary of Dollywood's season, the theme park of which she has been a co-owner since 1986 alongside Herschend Family Entertainment, the largest privately owned theme park company in the world. It was the first time she appeared in public after becoming a widow.
"I need to laugh. I need to have fun, so I'll probably be silly. I've cried enough in the last two weeks," she said. During her carriage ride through the park, she showed the affection she feels for her fans, her face lit up with a big smile, and she didn't hesitate to pose affectionately and kindly with certain people. She had a great time on the park's anniversary day. And she showed off her fantastic figure in heels that few women can pull off. But that's Dolly, unique and irreplaceable.
The singer of 9 to 5 also wanted to bring her husband's figure to the public eye, who by his own wish never posed for the press with his wife at parties or celebrations. She affirms that Carl used to walk incognito around Dollywood to enjoy the views and attractions, he had a great time, and on more than one occasion "waited in line to get his ticket" and would often communicate to his wife the deficiencies he saw: "They need more bathrooms," "you have to tell them this or that. There are a lot of people in that area (...) He didn't come to criticize, but he noticed things and thought that maybe it was necessary to report all this."
Dolly's new project is coming soon. On July 18, the public preview of her biographical show Dolly: An Original Musical will begin, with the official presentation taking place only from August 8 to 17 at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Belmont University in Nashville. For this musical, which could be seen on Broadway in the future, Dolly has served as a producer, has written original songs along with other classics, and co-wrote the script with Maria S. Schlatter, a double Emmy award winner. The direction is by Barlett Sher, a Tony award winner.
Miley Cyrus' (32) godmother has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame since 1999 and in 2022 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.