Dolly Parton attended the opening day of Dollywood on Friday with fans and season passholders, her first public appearance since her husband Carl Dean's death.

It’s a hole in my heart,” Dolly Parton said of losing her husband. But she cherishes the funny Dollywood memories he left behind.

The private country music legend celebrated the life of her late husband Carl Dean during a sneak peek of Dollywood's 40th anniversary in Tennessee.

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.

Carl Dean, Dolly Parton’s devoted husband of nearly 60 years who avoided the spotlight and inspired her timeless hit “Jolene,” died Monday. He was 82. According to a statement provided to The Associated Press by Parton’s publicist, Dean died in Nashville, Tennessee. He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family attending.

The singer appeared Friday at her Dollywood theme park in Tennessee, where she helped launch the resort's 40th season following Dean's death on March 3.

Dolly Parton is keeping the memory of her beloved late husband, Carl Dean, close to her heart following his passing on March 3. The iconic singer, who shared the news of his demise, has spoken about being "consoled by the afterlife" and even released a touching tribute song in his honor,

Dolly Parton has made her first public appearance since the death of her husband, Carl Dean. Nearly two weeks after his death, Parton stepped out to attend an opening day event for Dollywood season passholders on March 14. The event was held in honor of the theme park’s 40th season celebration in Tennessee.

Dolly Parton visited her very own Tennessee mountain home on Friday. Following the death of her husband Carl Dean on March 3, the country icon made her first public appearance at Dollywood’s Celebrity Theater in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Parton, 79, arrived at the theme park to help kick off the resort’s 40th operating season.

Dolly Parton celebrates 40 years of Dollywood dreams! She shares her perfect Dollywood day, her Pigeon Forge pride and hopes for Dollywood's future.