Miley Cyrus Shares Heartfelt Last Moments with Dolly Parton
Miley Cyrus detailed the final conversation she had with her godmother, Dolly Parton, in an emotional first statement since the country music icon’s death.“The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share,” the “Flowers” songstress wrote via an emotional Instagram tribute Wednesday. “Our most sacred moments were private and they’ll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts.”“What I KNOW is Dolly would want me to feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong. I have an angel by my side,” she continued. “I always have. One of our last conversations was about music and metamorphosis. 🦋.”“I will always love her and want to make her proud,” Cyrus, 33, 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. 💖.”Miley Cyrus has addressed the heartbreaking death of her godmother, Dolly Parton (pictured above together at “Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party” in 2023). Vijat Mohindra/NBC via Getty ImagesThe “I Will Always Love You” songstress shared an incredibly close bond with Cyrus (pictured above together while performing at the 2019 Grammy Awards). AP Photo/Matt SaylesAs Page Six previously reported, Parton died on Tuesday at the age of 80.Miley’s father, Billy Ray Cyrus, was one of the many celebrities who paid tribute to the country music icon via social media after hearing the news.“I have so many moments and memories with Dolly, it’s hard to know where to start,” the “Old Town Road” crooner wrote in part at the time. “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.”Billy Ray also recalled touring with Parton in 1992 as an opener when tabloid stories alleged they were “having an affair.” The country star, who was dating his now-ex-wife Tish Cyrus at the time, recalled “walking into [Parton’s] dressing room to apologize” for the stories.“In true Dolly fashion, she just looked at me, winked and said, ‘Honey, this trash sells records!'” he shared, before revealing one of his last interactions with the late musician.“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 asked Parton to be Miley’s godmother in 1992. (Seen above: The trio in 2019.) Getty Images for NARASDuring a 2009 interview with “Good Morning America,” Parton recalled, “When she was born, he said, ‘You just have to be her godmother,’ and I said, ‘I accept.'” (Seen above: Miley, Kenny Rogers, Parton and Billy Ray.) ©Hallmark Entertainment/Courtesy Everett CollectionWhile working with Parton on the 1992 tour, Billy Ray asked the Grammy winner to be the godmother to Miley, who was born on Nov. 23, 1992.“When she was born, he said, ‘You just have to be her godmother,’ and I said, ‘I accept,'” Parton recalled during her appearance on “Good Morning America” in 2009.Over the years, Miley and Parton have remained incredibly close. They often gushed over each other in interviews and collaborated on several projects and performances. At one point, the “Hannah Montana” alum even referred to Parton as “the most loved person on the planet.” “She’s left this big mark on the entire world, that all of us are just trying to fill her crystallized shoes, which is never going to happen,” Miley told Seth Meyers in 2021.Throughout the years, Parton and Cyrus (seen here) have maintained a close relationship. Vijat Mohindra/NBC via Getty ImagesThey’ve collaborated on several projects together. (Seen here: Dolly and Miley on “Hannah Montana.”) ©Disney Channel/Courtesy Everett CollectionParton left a lasting legacy not only on the Cyrus family, but also with the entire country music industry and her fans across the globe.The singer’s tragic death was confirmed on Aug. 25 by Bryan Seaver, her nephew and longtime head of security.“As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now,” he said in a heartfelt video message posted to Instagram.“It is an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness [to announce this news]. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly.”The businessman continued to gush over Parton’s legacy, explaining how the Grammy winner “opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers” from every walk of life.“By her example, we believed that anything was possible,” he continued. “She never saw a door she couldn’t open and the doors she opened made and changed history. My family and I have shared a lifetime of beautiful memories with Dolly, but so have you.”Parton (seen above in 2022) died on Aug. 25. Katherine Bomboy/NBC via Getty ImagesShe was 80. (Seen here: Miley and Parton on “Hannah Montana.”) Disney Channel via Getty ImagesSeaver further explained how one of Parton’s last requests was to be put to rest in a “beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.”TMZ reported on Aug. 25 that the “9 to 5″ singer’s funeral will be hosted in Nashville, Tennessee, with “a small, private service for immediate family … in the coming days.”The outlet also reported that Parton was hospitalized with “kidney and autoimmune issues” at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville on Aug. 20, just a few days before her death.Additionally, Parton had told People on Aug. 21 that she was “dealing with some health issues that [she] just didn’t pay attention to” when caring for her Dean ahead of his death in March 2025.Parton (seen here in the 1984 film “Rhinestone”) dealt with ongoing health issues at the time of her death. Getty ImagesThe “9 to 5” singer (seen here in 2014) was reportedly hospitalized days before she died. REUTERSThe actress first revealed her health woes in September 2025, when she was suffering from kidney stones and had to skip an appearance at her beloved amusement park, Dollywood, in Tennessee.From there, Parton canceled multiple appearances, including her Las Vegas residency, though she insisted in May that she was “improving every day.”The hitmaker last stepped out at the ribbon-cutting ceremony of her Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop back in June. At the time, she appeared via a video message, though it’s unclear when exactly she filmed it.
