AceShowbiz - Dolly Parton updated fans on her emotional journey following the death of her beloved husband, Carl Thomas Dean. Dean passed away at the age of 82 on March 3, after 58 years of marriage. Describing her feelings, Parton confided, "I'm doing better than I thought I would. I've been with him 60 years."

Parton revealed how her husband struggled in the months leading up to his passing, making his death both a moment of sorrow and relief. "He suffered a great deal," she 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."

To cope with her immense loss, Dolly attended the 40th season celebration of Dollywood, the theme park she co-owns in Pigeon Forge, TN. This was her first public appearance since her husband's passing. Dolly explained, "I need to laugh. I need some fun, so I'm probably gonna be stupid. I've been crying enough the last week or two."

Parton reminisced about Carl's visits to Dollywood, where he would anonymously enjoy the attractions and offer feedback. "He stood in line and got his ticket. He didn't want somebody giving him a ticket because he was Dolly's husband," she remembered. "He would say, 'You need more bathrooms.' Or he would say, 'You need to tell them this or that.'"

The couple's love story began when an 18-year-old Dolly met Carl at a laundromat in 1964, the day after she moved to Nashville. They renewed their vows in 2016 for their 50th wedding anniversary. In 2021, Dolly even recreated her 1978 Playboy cover for Carl's 79th birthday.

Three days after Carl's death, Parton released a touching song titled "If You Hadn't Been There," dedicated to his memory. Dolly continues to honor her husband while forging ahead with her career, working on "Dolly: An Original Musical," set to begin previews on July 18.