Dolly Parton made her first public appearance less than two weeks after her husband Carl Dean’s death.

On Friday, the country music icon, 79, took the stage at Dollywood to surprise her fans while kicking off the theme park’s 40th season.

She attended the preview for season pᴀssholders in a sparkly, magenta dress and put a smile on her face while mourning the death of her husband of almost 60 years.

She began by thanking her supporters for sending her flowers and cards, according to local news outlet WSPA, before adding that he would want her to be there, per WVLT.

Dean pᴀssed away at the age of 82 on March 3 in Nashville, Tennessee — where they first met in 1964 and went on to tie the knot two years later.

‘Of course I will always love him, and I’ll miss him, but I wanted you to know that I will always love you,’ she told the audience while referring to her 1974 classic song.

Dolly Parton made her first public appearance less than two weeks after her husband Carl Dean’s death

Dean pᴀssed away at the age of 82 on March 3 in Nashville, Tennessee — where they first met in 1964 and went on to tie the knot two years later

Then, she gave a preview of what the amusement park will look like for the coming season as she explained they had been wrapping up several upgrade projects and developments. 

She wrapped up the event by performing Celebrate the Dreamer In You. 

Earlier this month, she shared the tragic news of her husband’s death with her 7.4 million followers on Instagram. 

‘Carl Dean, husband of Dolly Parton, pᴀssed away March 3rd in Nashville at the age of 82,’ she wrote in a statement.

‘He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family attending. He is survived by his siblings Sandra and Donnie.’ 

She continued: ‘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 added. ‘The family asks for privacy during this difficult time.’ 

In the following days, she shared another statement, a ‘love note to family, friends and fans.’ 

On Friday, the country music icon, 79, took the stage at Dollywood to surprise her fans while kicking off the theme park’s 40th season; pictured November 2022 in Los Angeles

She attended the preview for season pᴀssholders in a sparkly, magenta dress and put a smile on her face while mourning the death of her husband of almost 60 years

She began by thanking her supporters for sending her flowers and cards, per local news outlet WSPA , before saying that she will ‘miss him’

‘Of course I will always love him, and I’ll miss him, but I wanted you to know that I will always love you,’ she told the audience while referring to her 1974 classic song

Then, she gave a preview of what the amusement park will look like for the coming season

She explained they had been wrapping up several upgrade projects and developments

She wrapped up the event by performing Celebrate the Dreamer In You.

Earlier this month, she shared the tragic news of her husband’s death with her 7.4 million followers on Instagram. ‘Carl Dean, husband of Dolly Parton, pᴀssed away March 3rd in Nashville at the age of 82,’ she wrote in a statement

Last week, she released a song, If You Hadn’t Been There, dedicated to her late husband

She wrote in her caption: ‘I fell in love with Carl Dean when I was 18 years old. We have spent 60 precious and meaningful years together. ‘Like all great love stories, they never end. They live on in memory and song,’ she continued. ‘He will always be the star of my life story, and I dedicate this song to him’

Read More Dolly Parton reveals the secrets of her enduring love with husband Carl Dean as he dies aged 82

‘Thank you for all the messages, cards, and flowers that you’ve sent to pay your respects for the loss of my beloved husband Carl,’ she wrote.

‘I can’t reach out personally to each of you but just know it has meant the world to me. He is in God’s arms now and I am okay with that. I will always love you.’ 

Last week, she released a song, If You Hadn’t Been There, dedicated to her dearly departed and shared a throwback pH๏τo of her and Dean early in their marriage as the cover. 

She wrote in her caption: ‘I fell in love with Carl Dean when I was 18 years old. We have spent 60 precious and meaningful years together.

‘Like all great love stories, they never end. They live on in memory and song,’ she continued.

‘He will always be the star of my life story, and I dedicate this song to him.’