Billy Ray Cyrus Shares Dolly Parton’s Final Message Following Her Death On His Birthday
Billy Ray Cyrus emotionally shares Dolly Parton’s last “beautiful message” sent to him before her death at 80. The iconic singer and longtime friend left an unforgettable legacy that touched millions, and Billy Ray recalls their cherished bond and her final words of love.
Dolly Parton was Miley Cyrus’ god mother (Image: Getty Images for NARAS)
Billy Ray Cyrus posted a heartfelt message to his fans as he honored Dolly Parton following her passing at the age of 80.
The two entertainers maintained a famously strong relationship after collaborating on numerous occasions throughout their careers, with Dolly serving as godmother to Billy Ray’s daughter, Miley Cyrus. The devastating announcement of Dolly’s death arrived on Tuesday, August 25, which coincidentally marked Billy Ray’s 65th birthday.
Sharing a series of photographs on Instagram, Billy Ray expressed, “I have so many moments and memories with Dolly, it’s hard to know where to start. Like every little boy, I grew up loving Dolly Parton. She was a part of our lives, on our TV’s, right in our living rooms.” It comes as Dolly Parton feared family feuds over her fortune before her death.
He went on, “In 1992, I’ll never forget walking into her dressing room to apologize for all the tabloid stories which claimed I was having an affair with her. In true Dolly fashion, she just looked at me, winked and said, ‘Honey, this trash sells records!'”
He wrapped up by revealing how Dolly had recently reached out with a “beautiful message,” reports the Mirror US.
Billy Ray and Dolly famously had a close bond (Image: Getty)
He stated, “Dolly recently sent me a beautiful message, telling me she loved me with her whole heart. I will always love her in the same way ….. with my whole heart … and I always will. – Billy Ray Cyrus.”
Billy Ray received an outpouring of sympathy from his followers who expressed their condolences regarding his loss. Billy Ray’s tribute comes in the wake of an emotional announcement from Dolly’s family confirming her passing, 17 months after the death of her husband of 60 years, Carl Dean, in March 2025.
Her nephew Bryan Seaver broke the news in a heartfelt Instagram video.
Billy Ray posted a tribute to Dolly Parton (Image: billyraycyrus/Instagram)
In his moving tribute, Seaver shared: “Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents, and countless others who have watched her and longed for her to meet them in the heavens.”
He went on to celebrate Dolly’s extraordinary career and lasting legacy, stating: “I first went on the road with Dolly as a kid, getting the taste of the road life in the early 1980s. Dolly opened doors, not just for me, but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn’t even know was possible.
“Dolly also opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians, and dreamers from every walk of life, and across every continent. By her example, we believed that anything was possible. She never saw a door she couldn’t open, and the doors she opened made and changed history.”
Seaver concluded with a deeply personal reflection: “My family and I have shared a lifetime of beautiful memories with Dolly. But so have you. She has always been on your television, your record player, your CD, and on your phone playlist, becoming an extended part of your family whether you liked it or not.”
