I Will Always Love You - Price Prediction

The country music community will always love Dolly Parton.

Dolly Parton, known for singing “Jolene”, was honored with not just one, but two heartfelt tributes during NBC and Peacock’s Opry 100 celebration in Nashville on March 19. This event took place a few weeks after the 79-year-old singer mourned the passing of her husband of 58 years, Carl Dean.

The spectacular musical event celebrating the Grand Ole Opry’s centennial reached its peak when renowned country artists Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, and Lady A united to perform Dolly Parton’s timeless hit “I Will Always Love You.” This unforgettable performance was supported by Trisha Yearwood, Vince Gill, and a choir of 60 talented singers from the prestigious venue.

Prior to the show, the artist who sings “I’m A Survivor” paused for a brief moment to offer some comforting thoughts to Dolly during her time of sorrow.

Reba expressed that everyone here at the Opry, as well as people worldwide, are sending their well-wishes and sympathies to you. It’s important for you to understand that our affection for you remains unwavering,” she said.

Previously during the broadcast, which was hosted by Blake Shelton, Carly Pearce paid tribute to the Queen of Country by performing a rendition of “Jolene.

Two weeks ago, tributes were paid following Parton’s announcement that she had said farewell to her lifelong partner. Dean, who was 82 years old, passed away in Nashville on March 3rd, as the star of “9 to 5” shared on social media platforms.

Dolly Parton, who’s been with Dean since 1966, expressed in a statement that was once posted on X (previously known as Twitter), “Carl and I had countless beautiful years together.” She further added, “Words fall short when trying to express the love we shared for over six decades. I appreciate your prayers and sympathies during this time.

Several days later, Parton penned a moving message on her grief journey.

She expressed her heartfelt gratitude on Instagram on March 6th, stating, “This is a heartfelt message to my family, friends, and supporters. I am deeply moved by the outpouring of compassion in the form of messages, cards, and flowers you’ve sent, as a gesture of condolence for the passing of my cherished husband, Carl.

Parton also noted the support she received in the days after his death “meant the world” to her.

“He is in God’s arms now and I am okay with that,” she concluded. “I will always love you.”

Last week marked Dolly Parton’s first public outing following Dean’s demise, as she attended the March 14 event for the 40th anniversary celebration of her Dollywood theme park.

The iconic figure behind Dollywood expresses gratitude for the four decades of support received from our guests and the community. It’s astonishing to think about how long it’s been, but without your unwavering patronage, Dollywood wouldn’t still be standing.

Parton expressed, ‘Regardless of your ambition, be it launching a theme park bearing your own name, always persist in chasing your dreams without giving up!’

Keep reading to look back on Parton and Dean’s epic love story.

Opry 100 is available to stream any time on Peacock.

After departing from two past relationships in her small-town home of Sevierville, Tennessee, Dolly Parton didn’t consider entering a new romance upon her move to Nashville in 1964, just after completing high school.

Unfortunately, it was on a city street, en route to the laundry, when she first encountered Carl Dean, upon her initial visit to the musical metropolis.

According to Parton (who passed away on March 3, 2025, at the age of 82), it is said that he drove past and shouted, “You might get a sunburn out here, miss!”, instead of directly addressing the press.

In her 2020 book “Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics,” she mentioned that they began conversing, and I developed feelings for him, and he reciprocated those feelings. In a different interview, the 5-foot artist (she was 18 at the time they met) reminisced about how sun-kissed Dean appeared as he stood taller than her at 6-foot-2. Since he ran an asphalt paving business with his father, the 22-year-old often spent time outdoors, which gave him a tanned complexion.

She didn’t immediately jump into his car, but instead expressed caution, stating, “You have to know someone or they might take you down a secluded road and harm you,” as detailed in Stephen Miller’s 2011 biography, “Smart Blonde”. Despite this, Parton did invite Dean to visit her at her aunt and uncle’s home the following day. However, she preferred to sit with him outside. He returned every day for a week, and on their first official date, he drove her to his parents’ house beforehand because, according to Parton, “he knew from the moment he saw me that I was the one he wanted.

However, as she was gaining recognition as a songwriter, often working with her uncle Bill Owens at Combine Music, Fred Foster, her boss, cautioned against marriage, suggesting it could be detrimental to her burgeoning singing career since a major breakthrough was imminent.

Instead of postponing their grand wedding, she and Dean chose to elope instead, traveling to Ringgold, Ga., on May 30, 1966. On this day, Avie Lee Parton, the bride’s mother, accompanied them and served not only as a witness but also as the wedding photographer.

Despite keeping their marital status hidden, Foster remained unaware that his partner was actually his wife for an entire year. This wasn’t discovered until one day when the record executive, in acknowledgment of Parton’s burgeoning success, blurted out, “Don’t you feel fortunate now that you didn’t tie the knot?

As a lifestyle expert, I’d like to share an interesting tidbit about the iconic Jolene singer, Dolly Parton. Despite what her passport may suggest (Dolly Parton Dean), she never altered her professional moniker because she already had a well-established record deal under her birth name. Quite simply, she’s been rocking that signature style and maintaining her identity since day one!

In a chat with The Guardian in 2014, she jokingly said, “Had I picked the name Dolly Dean, I would have gone by Double D again!

In 1966, Parton attended a significant gathering with her husband, namely the BMI Awards dinner, during which they were both recognized in the country genre for their songwriting collaboration on “Put It Off Until Tomorrow.

Following the event, Dean decided to remove his tuxedo before they had even reached the car. As she recounted in her book, ‘He told me, “I’m proud of you.” He said, “Go ahead and do what you want. But promise me, never ask me to attend another one of those events again, as I won’t go.” And true to his word, he hasn’t.’

She had already collected the first of her total 48 BMI Awards, joining her 10 Grammys (excluding the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011), nine Country Music Association Awards, 13 Academy of Country Music Awards, and a multitude of other honors.

But the real prize was always waiting for Parton at home.

In an interview with People in 2018, the star from 9 to 5 humorously replied when asked about the secret to her long marriage and enduring love, “I usually say ‘Stay away!’ There’s a grain of truth in that. I travel frequently, but we truly cherish our time together, finding joy in the smallest moments.

On one of their initial dining outings, they picked up food from a McDonald’s drive-thru in Dean’s Chevy, according to Parton, and their culinary preferences as a couple remained relatively simple (even though Forbes estimated Parton’s net worth at $440 million in 2023). They frequented local eateries and often embarked on road trips, with Ringgold – where they got married – being one of their frequent stops.

In an interview with Billboard in 2014, Parton expressed her love for three things: reading, cooking, and spending time with her husband while traveling in their compact RV. She admitted that even after long tours covering thousands of miles, she would eagerly request the camper for more adventures. Her husband might complain about the travel, but she, being a gypsy at heart, would insist on continuing the journey. When out of the spotlight, her life is relatively uncomplicated.

Though if you wanted to catch her and Dean at Publix or Walmart, you had to stay up late.

Dolly Parton shared in 2019 during the premiere of her Netflix series, “Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings,” that she often visits places open all night. She mentioned that her luck is amazing when she goes there, even though there are only a few people around. She enjoys interacting with people, but she doesn’t want to hold up her shopping.

As a lifestyle expert, I can share an interesting perspective on Dolly Parton’s unique approach to privacy. Despite the speculation among fans over the years that her husband might be a figment of her imagination due to their low-key public appearances, Dolly has occasionally granted us glimpses into her past with some vintage photos. In her 2020 book, she addressed this topic, stating, “This has led many people to believe that my husband doesn’t exist and that I made him up.

In a playful gesture, she featured her partner on the cover of her 1969 album titled “My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy.” The cover was a collage depicting Parton lost in thought about her woodsy companion, who was portrayed wearing a lumberjack shirt.

As a connoisseur of life’s finer aspects, I always made sure to honor Dean’s preference for staying out of the limelight by minimizing his exposure to it whenever feasible.

She shared with ET in 2020 that “He tends to be quite introspective and private,” implying that if he were to step into the spotlight, he would not have a moment’s rest, which turns out to be accurate.

On their 50th anniversary, they renewed their wedding vows at home, allowing Dolly Parton to don the stunning wedding gown she had always envisioned. Additionally, she wrote a song that complemented their vows, titled “Forever Love,” which was one of several tracks on her 2016 album Pure and Simple inspired by her and Dean’s enduring love story.

She shared with Rolling Stone that on our second special occasion, I donned the most stunning dress and dressed up my husband, who looked like a dashing star from the silver screen. A handful of family members and friends joined us. We deliberately opted against a grand affair to avoid any stress or tension. Instead, we meticulously planned a low-key ceremony at our chapel on our property, choosing to enjoy ourselves rather than worry about the details.

In addition to the regular queries about her tips for a successful marriage, Parton also answered her fair share of questions regarding her and Dean being considered a couple by themselves.

Previously, Dolly Parton expressed in an interview with Billboard that she felt she might have regretted not having children. However, she now sees it differently. Initially, when dating and later getting married, they assumed they would have kids naturally. Yet, nothing was done to prevent it. In fact, they had chosen names for potential children. But life took a different course. Now, Parton reflects, ‘It seems God didn’t plan for me to have my own kids, so I get to be a mother figure to many.’

She confided in The Guardian that, hypothetically speaking, if they had a daughter, they would have called her Carla. They frequently pondered over what their children might have turned out to be, should they have had any.

Parton expressed her belief that she would have excelled as a mother, saying, ‘I likely would have sacrificed everything else for the sake of my children, as I might have felt guilty about leaving them behind to pursue a career.’ She suggested that if she had become a mother, her life and career might have taken a different course.

But as the fourth of 12 siblings, she has had plenty of people in her life to dote on.

She shared with Billboard that her family is extremely important to her, as five of her younger siblings lived with her and her partner for a significant time. Furthermore, she has a strong bond with her nieces and nephews too. As they grow older, she and her partner often express gratitude that they didn’t have children of their own, since it means they no longer need to worry about them.

Which also left more time to focus on each other.

In the spring, when daffodils bloom for the first time, we still have our special moments, as Parton shared with People in 2020. Even if there’s snow lingering, my husband always surprises me with a bouquet of flowers. He often adds a short poem to it, which I treasure greatly. That small gesture feels like a date to me, all on its own.

They found greatest joy in either enjoying a cozy dinner at home under candlelight or spending a night away at a Days Inn (so long as the bed was tidy and a bathroom was available), simply indulging in their preferred activities.

Despite Dean never attending events like the Grammys or Oscars, Parton’s constant use of makeup means that even during sleep, her mascara remains unbeaten. Furthermore, she doesn’t need a specific occasion to dress up; simply being awake is enough for her. As a result, Dean frequently witnesses his wife in her elegant and glamorous style.

She stated, “I’ve got this thing where I take care of him because I don’t endorse laziness and staying at home. But mostly, he pays little attention to my clothing choices, as long as I’m content. He adores me just the way I am.

2025-03-20 06:18

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