Cyrus said she was heartbroken by Parton’s death and reflected on the private moments they shared throughout their close relationship, Reuters reported.
“The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share,” Cyrus wrote on X, adding that some of their most meaningful moments would remain private.
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The “Flowers” singer said she believed Parton would want her to turn her grief into music and continue moving forward with strength.
“What I KNOW is Dolly would want me to feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong,” Cyrus wrote. “I have an angel by my side. I always have.”
Cyrus said one of their final conversations centered on music and “metamorphosis,” and described Parton’s death as a loss shared by the singer’s family, friends and countless fans.
Parton had been part of Cyrus’ life since before she was born. She became Cyrus’ godmother in 1992 after Miley’s father, Billy Ray Cyrus, asked the country star to take on the role.
Their relationship deepened over the years, with Parton becoming a maternal figure and mentor to Cyrus as she developed her own career in music and entertainment.
“Dolly’s been like a mother to me,” Cyrus said in a 2024 interview with W Magazine, recalling a message Parton had sent her around Mother’s Day.
Parton also became part of Cyrus’ early television career, appearing as Aunt Dolly in three episodes of Disney Channel’s “Hannah Montana” between 2006 and 2010.
Their professional relationship continued long after the show ended. Parton supported Cyrus as she transitioned from a Disney Channel star into an established recording artist and later a Grammy-winning performer and Hollywood Walk of Fame honoree.
The pair collaborated on several occasions, including a performance of Parton’s “Jolene” at the 2019 Grammy Awards.
They reunited in 2022 for NBC’s “Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party,” where they performed Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” alongside Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball.”
Parton’s death marks the loss of one of country music’s most influential figures, while for Cyrus it represents the passing of a family member, mentor and lifelong source of support.
