Dolly Parton Steps Back from Music After Her Husband’s Passing

The "Islands in the Stream" singer shared that she was putting music "on hold" for the moment following the passing of her husband of nearly 60 years earlier this year.

Dolly Parton sat down with Khloe Kardashian on a July 9 episode of her podcast, "Khloe in Wonderland." The country legend told the media personality that she's taking a break from her music projects.

The pair were discussing insights into Parton's creative process when the topic of "writer's block" arose. Parton explained that she has rarely experienced writer's block.

The closest she had ever come to the feeling was when she was trying to reconcile her own vision with that of a director while working on a film. However, the creative inertia has returned in the months following the death of her husband, Carl Dean.

Parton shared that she has several ideas she's wanted to bring to life that feels she'll be unable to complete. "I can't do it right now 'cause I got so many other things that I can't afford the luxury of, you know, of getting emotional right now," she said.

She added that she does feel stalled at times, but: "I'll write something else, though, if it comes. I'm just putting that all on hold."

Parton's husband passed away on March 3, 2025. The singer made the heartbreaking announcement via an Instagram statement the following day.

"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 couple, who were notoriously private, was married from 1966 until Carl's death this year.