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Dolly Parton leans on her faith after losing husband of nearly 60 years

Dolly Parton says her faith has carried her through her fluctuating grief following the death of her husband, Carl Dean.

NEW YORK (AP) — Dolly Parton’s angelic voice floated throughout her first gospel album in 1971 with songs like “I Believe,” “Lord Hold My Hand” and the album’s title track, “Golden Streets of Glory.” The entertainment icon says the same steadfast faith that inspired those hymns have anchored her throughout her grief following the death her husband, Carl Dean. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honoree reflected on her marriage of nearly 60 years while promoting her new single-serve Southern-inspired frozen meals, following her popular Duncan Hines baking mixes via a collaboration with US-based Conagra Brands. The 79-year-old recording artist spoke with The Associated Press about her perspective on life without her husband, her entrepreneurial spirit and on why she’s never embraced the title “superstar.” The conversation has been edited for brevity and clarity.

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