Miley Cyrus Breaks Her Silence After Dolly Parton’s Death With Heartfelt Tribute to Her Beloved Godmother

Miley Cyrus has paid an emotional tribute to her godmother Dolly Parton, revealing that some of their most meaningful memories will remain private as she mourns the woman who had been part of her life since before she was born.

Dolly, the legendary country music star, died at the age of 80 on Tuesday, August 25, following a short battle with cancer. For Miley, the loss was deeply personal. Dolly was not only a global music icon but also a trusted mentor who watched her grow from childhood into one of the biggest stars of her generation.

Miley shared her first public response on Instagram in the days following Dolly’s death, describing the loss as something almost too profound to put into words.

‘I have an angel by my side’

Miley wrote that losing her “Aunt Dolly” was beyond what she felt she could properly express publicly.

She explained that some of their most precious moments belonged solely to them and would remain that way, away from the cameras and the glamour that surrounded their lives.

But Miley also recalled something Dolly would have wanted her to do with her grief.

She said Dolly would want her to “feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong.”

Miley added that she had “an angel by my side” and always had one.

The singer revealed that one of their final conversations had centred on music and metamorphosis, before promising that she would always love Dolly and strive to make her proud.

Her tribute ended with a message of shared grief for Dolly’s family, friends and fans around the world, saying that they would continue to find her in “all of the most beautiful things.”

Dolly knew Miley before she was born

The bond between the two stars began decades before Miley became famous.

Miley’s father, country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, first became acquainted with Dolly after the success of his signature song “Achy Breaky Heart” in the early 1990s. Dolly invited Billy Ray to join her as a support act on tour.

Miley was born later that year, and the Cyrus family asked Dolly to become her godmother.

Dolly would later explain that she and Billy Ray had become close friends, partly because they were both from the American South. She also spoke warmly about her relationship with Miley, recalling that she had known her “since before she was born.”

That relationship would become even more important when Miley entered the spotlight.

Dolly became ‘Aunt Dolly’ on Hannah Montana

When Miley landed the starring role in Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana in 2006, she reportedly wanted her godmother involved in the series.

The sitcom followed Miley Stewart, a schoolgirl living a secret double life as Hannah Montana, a hugely successful pop star.

Dolly subsequently appeared three times on the show as Aunt Dolly, creating a character that deliberately reflected their real-life relationship.

Her appearances also gave the fictional Miley someone who could help her deal with the complications of sudden fame, including the loss of privacy that came with revealing her secret identity.

The distinction between their real relationship and the fictional storyline often became deliberately blurred. By Dolly’s final appearance, Aunt Dolly was portrayed as having her own long-running career in show business.

‘I am proud to be your fairy godmother’

Their affection for each other was also evident outside the sitcom.

During an NBC New Year’s Special they hosted together, Dolly told Miley how proud she was of her.

“From the bottom of my heart, I am proud of you and I’m proud to be your fairy godmother,” Dolly said.

She also joked that Miley’s decision to bring her onto Hannah Montana had helped introduce Dolly to a new generation of fans.

The pair continued collaborating after the Disney series ended. They performed Dolly’s songs together, including “Jolene,” giving audiences the chance to see the extraordinary connection between the godmother and goddaughter on stage.

Their musical partnership continued

Their relationship eventually found its way into Miley’s own music.

In 2017, Dolly appeared on Miley’s studio album, joining her for the track “Rainbowland.”

The collaboration was another reminder that their connection had developed far beyond Dolly simply being a guest star on Hannah Montana. She had become one of the people Miley could turn to as she navigated an increasingly complicated career in the public eye.

That bond remained evident years later.

In March 2026, Miley reunited with her Hannah Montana co-stars to celebrate the sitcom’s 20th anniversary. Dolly did not attend the Hollywood event, but she still acknowledged the milestone with a message remembering her time as Aunt Dolly.

She recalled how proud she had been when Miley became the star of Hannah Montana, describing her goddaughter as “sensational.”

Miley had already spoken about losing the people who guided her

The anniversary celebrations carried an added emotional weight for Miley.

During a special reflecting on the success of Hannah Montana, she became tearful while talking about getting older and watching the people who had helped shape her life grow older too.

She spoke about her parents and the many people who had helped create a sense of safety for her while she grew up in the entertainment industry.

Dolly was one of those people.

From knowing Miley before she was born, to stepping into her world on Hannah Montana, performing alongside her and later recording music together, Dolly remained a unique presence throughout Miley’s life.

Now, as Miley faces the loss of her beloved godmother, her promise to carry Dolly’s influence forward through music feels especially poignant.

Dolly may be gone, but for Miley, the angel she has always felt beside her is unlikely to disappear.