Miley Cyrus has paid a deeply personal tribute to her godmother, Dolly Parton, following the country music legend’s death at the age of 80.
Cyrus, 33, shared an emotional message with her 205 million Instagram followers on Wednesday, reflecting on the private bond she shared with Parton and the lasting influence the singer had on her life and career.
“The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share,” Cyrus wrote. “Our most sacred moments were private and they’ll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts.”
She went on to describe Parton as a constant presence in her life and said she believed her godmother would want her to channel her grief into music.
“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.”
“I will always love her and want to make her proud,” she added. “My heart breaks for the world, her family and friends who will miss her deeply. We’re in this loss together and we will see her in all of the most beautiful things.”
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Miley Cyrus with her godmother Dolly Parton on stage in 2019
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‘The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share,’ Cyrus wrote
How Dolly Parton became Miley Cyrus’ godmother
Parton and Cyrus had known each other for virtually all of Cyrus’ life.
In a 2009 interview with Good Morning America, Parton explained that her connection to the young singer began through Cyrus’ father, Billy Ray Cyrus.
“I’ve known her since she was a baby,” Parton said at the time. She recalled that Billy Ray was a friend and, after Miley was born, asked Parton to become her godmother.
“You just have to be her godmother,” he reportedly told Parton.
“I accept,” she recalled responding.
There was never a formal ceremony, but the relationship became a meaningful part of both women’s lives.
“We never did do a big ceremony, but I’m so proud of her, love her. And she’s just like one of my own,” Parton said.
That affection was mutual, and Parton became one of the most important mentors in Cyrus’ life as the younger singer grew into an international star.
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On Tuesday morning, Cyrus, 33, took to Instagram sharing her pain with her 205 million followers
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Parton was bonded with Cyrus for her entire life, as the country music legend previously opened up about how she became the Flowers hitmaker’s godmother
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The godmother had complete confidence in Cyrus’s future from the start. Above, in 2006
Parton believed in Cyrus from the beginning
Long before Cyrus became an established recording artist, Parton was already convinced that her goddaughter had extraordinary potential.
Parton appeared as Aunt Dolly on Hannah Montana, the Disney Channel series that helped launch Cyrus to worldwide fame, in 2006.
Two years later, Parton praised the teenager’s abilities and predicted that she would continue to have a major career after the show ended.
“The kids love her because she’s Hannah Montana,” Parton said in 2008. “But what people don’t realize about her is she is such a fantastic singer and songwriter.”
She added that Cyrus wrote songs with unusual depth for someone so young and said she was “amazed at the talent that child has and the effect she has on people.”
Parton’s influence went beyond encouragement. Cyrus has repeatedly spoken about the advice she received from her godmother, including guidance on how to turn an idea into reality.
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Parton, Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus in a 2006 episode of Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana
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Parton died Tuesday morning at the age of 80 after being admitted on Friday to Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center with autoimmune and kidney problems
Dolly’s advice continued to shape Miley’s career
Cyrus recently revealed one particularly memorable lesson from Parton while discussing her work marking the 20th anniversary of Hannah Montana.
According to Cyrus, Parton taught her an unconventional approach to promoting creative projects.
“She told me that if you want something to happen, promote it before it exists. Then no one can say no,” Cyrus recalled in a Variety interview in March.
Cyrus said she applied that advice when promoting her Disney+ concert special before the project had even been officially approved.
The story offered another glimpse into how Parton’s influence extended beyond music and into the way her goddaughter approached her career.
Their musical partnership spanned years
The two women were not simply connected through family and television. They also became frequent musical collaborators.
Parton contributed to Cyrus’ musical world, while Cyrus returned the favor by celebrating some of her godmother’s most famous songs.
For Parton’s 2023 rock album Rockstar, the country legend recorded a version of Cyrus’ 2013 hit “Wrecking Ball” and invited Cyrus to participate in the project.
Parton explained that she had wanted Cyrus involved because she loved both the song and her goddaughter.
“I just felt honored,” Parton said of the collaboration. “I love that song, and I love Miley.”
The pair also collaborated on Cyrus’ 2017 song “Rainbowland,” which appeared on her Younger Now album.
Cyrus had previously performed Parton’s classic “Jolene” during a Backyard Sessions performance in 2012, a rendition that attracted widespread attention.
The pair later performed “Jolene” together on several occasions, including a 2010 Hallmark special celebrating 25 years of Dollywood, an appearance on The Voice in 2016 and the Grammy Awards in 2019.
Parton’s final years brought growing health concerns
Parton died Tuesday morning at age 80 after a period of health problems that had caused her to withdraw from several public appearances.
She had been admitted to Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center on Friday before her death.
Her passing was confirmed by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, in an emotional Instagram video.
Seaver, who also served as Parton’s head of security, said the singer had asked him years earlier to make the announcement when the time eventually came.
He remembered his aunt as someone who “lived in the light” and said she was now “in the arms of Jesus” alongside her late husband, Carl Dean, her parents and others who had gone before her.
A final tribute to a woman who changed generations
Parton’s career stretched across six decades, making her one of the most influential figures in country music. Songs such as “Jolene” and “9 to 5” became cultural landmarks, while her work as a songwriter, performer, businesswoman and philanthropist extended her influence far beyond the recording studio.
For Cyrus, however, Parton was more than an icon.
She was her godmother, mentor, collaborator and a lifelong source of encouragement.
Now, as Cyrus faces the loss, she says she intends to carry that influence forward — through music, strength and the desire to make Dolly proud.