Dolly Parton opens up about the profound grief she’s navigating after losing her husband of nearly 60 years

In a recent, heartfelt conversation, country music icon Dolly Parton revealed that she is stepping back from songwriting to grieve the loss of her husband of nearly six decades, Carl Dean. The beloved singer, known for her prolific and deeply personal lyrics, shared that the emotional toll of his passing has temporarily silenced her creative muse.

Speaking on Khloé Kardashian’s “Khloé in Wonder Land” podcast, Parton, 79, was candid about her current state of mind. When asked about writer’s block, she admitted that her grief is the primary barrier. “My husband passed away three months ago,” she explained. “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.”

The decision stems not from a lack of inspiration, but from a need for self-preservation. “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,” Parton confessed. “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.”