Dolly Parton Finds Healing in Musical Honoring Late Husband of 58 Years

In November 2025, legendary country singer Dolly Parton is opening up about how an upcoming musical based on her life has been helping her cope with the recent loss of her husband, Carl Dean. Parton's longtime partner passed away in March 2022 at the age of 82, leaving the famously private couple's decades-long romance as the focus of the stage production "Dolly: A True Original."

Parton, who has been married to Dean for 58 years, says the show has been a "roller-coaster ride" for her, but also a crucial part of her mourning process. "It's almost like he's never gone," she explains, as Dean's character is immortalized on stage. Parton believes the musical has allowed her to appreciate her life and the people in it, including her best friend of 70 years, Judy Ogle, who is also featured in the production.

The upcoming Broadway show, set to premiere in 2026, traces Parton's journey from her humble beginnings to her massive success in Hollywood and country music, with her relationship with Dean woven throughout the narrative. Parton says the show's portrayal of their love story has been "healing" and has made her feel like Dean "will always be here, not just for me, but in the minds of other people."