Dolly Parton has opened up about the death of her husband of more than 60 years, Carl Dean. "I'm doing better than I thought I would,” Parton, 79, said in an interview with Knox News. But she said his death was "a hole in my heart,

To mourn the death of Dean, Parton stepped away from the public eye. Yesterday (March 14), the multiple CMA and Grammy Award-winner surprised supporters with her first appearance since Dean’s passing during the 40th season celebration for Dollywood theme park in Tennessee.

Parton was not on hand in person when Reba McEntire and Lady A led an all-star choir in singing "I Will Always Love You" during the Opry 100: A Live Celebration television special, which aired live from the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Wednesday night (March 19).