Dolly Parton's tear-jerking tribute to husband as she makes first appearance after his death

Dolly Parton has made a surprise appearance at her Dollywood theme park to mark the beginning of celebrations for the park's 40th anniversary - and paying tribute to her late husband

Dolly Parton has made her first public appearance since the death of her beloved husband Carl Dean.

The 79-year-old music icon was left heartbroken earlier this month when her husband, Carl, passed away at the age of 82 on 3 March. The couple had been together since 1964 and married in 1966 - and later renewed their vows in 2016 to mark their 50th anniversary.

On Friday, the My Heart Will Go On singer surprised fans when she took to the stage of her Dollywood theme park where she kicked off celebrations launched to mark 40 years of the Sporting a magenta dress, the star put on a brave face as she welcomed fans and performed music.

The star told her audience that she was confident that her late husband would have wanted her to attend the event and begin the celebrations. And she also opened up about the everlasting love that she holds for her late husband.

The singer said, per WVLT: "Of course I will always love him, and I'll miss him, but I wanted you to know that I will always love you." Dolly then shared details of the next few months of celebrations for Dollywood before bowing out after performing Celebrate the Dreamer In You.

Dolly was heartbroken to announce the death of her husband earlier this month. She wrote in a statement: "Carl Dean, husband of Dolly Parton, passed away March 3rd in Nashville at the age of 82. 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."

Following the sad news of Carl's death, Dolly was inundated with messages of support and condolences. In a subsequent message to fans, the singer wrote: "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. 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."

Dolly meet Carl on the day she moved to Nashville - meeting outside a laundromat called Wishy Washy, and it was love at first sight. Carl revealed in a statement marking the couple's 50th wedding anniversary in 2016: "My first thought was I'm gonna marry that girl. My second thought was, Lord she's good lookin'. And that was the day my life began. I wouldn't trade the last 50 years for nothing on this earth."

Speaking of their wedding day, Dolly previously told CMT: "My mother made me a little white dress and a little bouquet. But I said, 'I can't get married in a courthouse because I'll never feel married.' So we found a little Baptist church in town, and went up to Pastor Don Duvall and said, 'Would you marry us?' We got pictures on the steps right outside the church."

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