Dolly Parton Admits Career Struggles After Husband’s Death

Dolly Parton is still grappling with the painful loss of her husband, Carl Dean, and letting music take a backseat.

The legendary country singer said goodbye to her husband of 60 years in March after he passed away at the age of 82. Dean and Parton shared an enduring love despite being super private.

As Parton gradually makes her way back into the spotlight, the “Jolene” singer admitted her return to music won’t happen any time soon.

Parton appeared on Wednesday’s episode of Khloé Kardashian’s “Khloé in Wonder Land” podcast, where she revealed a heartbreaking career decision.

When asked about her passion for songwriting and whether she ever experiences writer’s block, the “Coat of Colors” singer admitted that her husband’s death made writing more challenging.

“My husband passed away three months ago. … Several things I’ve wanted to start, but I can’t do it,” the singer candidly confessed. “I will later, but I’m just coming up with such wonderful, beautiful ideas. But I think I won’t finish it.”

Although the country artist didn’t directly speak to her grief, she hinted at it.

Parton continued, “I can’t do it right now because I’ve got so many other things that I can’t afford the luxury of getting that emotional right now.”

However, it is far from the end for the 79-year-old, who told Kardashian, “There are times like that, things like that that will start here a little bit, but I’ll write something else, though, if it comes.”

For now, however, Parton revealed she is “putting that all on hold.”

“Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy,” she wrote.

The country star and her family also requested privacy during this difficult time. Although the statement didn’t shed more light on the circumstances surrounding Dean’s death, his battle with Alzheimer’s wasn’t a secret.

He was diagnosed with the deadly condition in 2019 after battling high blood pressure and heart problems for some time.

Despite the heartbreak of losing the love of her life, Parton couldn’t help but see a silver lining in the tragedy. As The Blast reported, the Tennessee native, in an interview, opened up about Dean’s final moments as his health declined.

“I just try to go on, because I know I have to. And he was ill for quite a while, and part of me was at peace that he was at peace and not suffering anymore,” Parton confessed.

However, the relief doesn’t make it any less painful, she admitted. “But that still doesn’t make up for the loss and the loneliness of it,” Parton noted before adding that she “really feels his presence.”

“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.”