Why Dolly Parton Is Putting Her Music Career ‘On Hold’

Published: July 14, 2025

By India McCarty

Dolly Parton will take some much-needed time away from the music business following the death of her husband, Carl Dean.

“My husband passed away three months ago,” she said during an appearance on Khloé Kardashian’s “Khloé In Wonder Land” podcast. “[There are] several things I’ve wanted to start, but I can’t do it. I will later, but I’m just coming up with such wonderful, beautiful ideas. But I think I won’t finish 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. So 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. So I’m just putting that all on hold.”

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Dean passed away earlier this year at the age of 82. The pair were married for over 60 years.

“I really think there’s just certain personalities that are great for each other,” Parton said of their relationship. “We were just so different, but we’re so similar…we were perfect…so many things we were compatible about…and we just got along great.”

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Parton shared, “Of course I miss him. I’m having to really go through a lot trying to figure out how to be without him because I was with him for so long.”

“There’s a part of me that’s happy he’s at peace and at rest,” she continued. “But then of course, there’s that part of me that will miss him forever and long for him every day. For the rest of my life, I’m sure.”

The country star has been open about the role her faith has played in helping her cope with this loss. This year, on the first wedding anniversary Parton celebrated without her husband, she shared that she kept up the couple’s tradition of visiting the church where they were married.

“I am a person of faith, even though I lost him on this earthly plane, and I will miss him every day, having to learn new patterns, new habits, but knowing that I will see him again and knowing that he’s in God’s arms now and not mine,” she explained.

Parton’s fans are glad the country star is taking some time away from her work and hope this break from the industry gives her some peace as she continues to grieve her husband.

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