Miley Cyrus has written a heartbreaking tribute to her godmother, Dolly Parton, following the country icon’s death on Tuesday at the age of 80.
On Wednesday morning, the 33-year-old shared her pain with her 205 million followers on Instagram, writing: “The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly goes beyond what feels right to share. Our most sacred moments were private and they will remain there behind the stage, beneath the glamor and between our hearts.”
Despite keeping some of their most personal moments to herself, she continued the heartfelt caption by saying Parton’s presence will always be felt.
Cyrus continued, “What I KNOW is that Dolly would want me to feel it, write a song about it and then move on and be strong. I have an angel by my side. I’ve always done that. One of our last conversations was about music and metamorphosis.
“I will always love her and I want to make her proud,” she added. “My heart breaks for the world, her family and friends who will miss her deeply. We are in this loss together and we will see her in the most beautiful things.’
Parton was linked to Cyrus her entire life, as the country legend previously opened up about how she became the Flowers hitmaker’s godmother.
Miley Cyrus with her godmother Dolly Parton on stage in 2019
“The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly goes beyond what feels right to share,” Cyrus wrote
“I’ve known her since she was a baby,” she said GMA in 2009. “Her father is a friend of mine, and when she was born, he said, ‘You should just be her godmother,’ and I said, ‘I accept it.’
‘We never had a big ceremony, but I’m so proud of her, I love her. And she’s like one of me.’
The godmother had complete confidence in Cyrus’ future from the start and even guest-starred in the pop star’s Disney Channel series Hannah Montana in 2006.
“The kids love her because she’s Hannah Montana, but what people don’t realize about her is that she’s such a fantastic singer and songwriter,” Parton told AOL Music in 2008. Biography.
‘She writes songs like she’s 40 years old! She’s really in deep.”
Parton added, “I think she’s going to have a big career after that show goes off the air. I know I’m biased because she’s my goddaughter. But I’m amazed at the talent that child has and the effect she has on people.”
Cyrus has been open about the career and life advice her godmother has given her, as she recently created a Disney+ concert special for Hannah Montana’s 20th birthday based on her advice.
Billy Ray Cyrus’ daughter made it public before the project was ever greenlit because of “this horrible habit — but I actually think it was good advice” she heard from Parton.
On Tuesday morning, Cyrus, 33, shared her pain with her 205 million followers via Instagram
Parton was linked to Cyrus her entire life, as the country legend previously opened up about how she became the Flowers hitmaker’s godmother
The godmother had full confidence in Cyrus’ future from the start. Above, in 2006
“She told me that if you want something to happen, you have to promote it before it exists. Then no one can say no,” Cyrus said in a cover interview with Variety back in March.
In addition to sharing the screen on the Disney Channel series, the two have also collaborated on numerous music projects, including Parton collaborating with Cyrus on her 2023 rock album Rockstar and covering her goddaughter’s 2013 hit Wrecking Ball on the same record.
About collaborating on the project, Parton said at the time, “I just felt honored. I love that song, and I love Miley, and when I started choosing all these people for my record, or songs that I wanted to do, I thought, ‘I have to have Miley.’
The duo also collaborated on Cyrus’ 2017 track Rainbowland, which was included on her Younger Now album.
Additionally, Cyrus covered Parton’s classic 1973 song Jolene during a Backyard Sessions performance in 2012, which went viral at the time.
The two had also shared the stage for duets over the years, including in 2010 for the Hallmark special, Dolly Celebrations 25 Years of Dollywood, where they co-performed the aforementioned Jolene.
They also performed the same song during an appearance on The Voice in 2016 and at the 2019 Grammy Awards.
Parton died Tuesday morning at the age of 80 after being admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville on Friday with autoimmune and kidney problems.
Parton, Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus in a 2006 episode of Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana
Parton died Tuesday morning at the age of 80 after being admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville on Friday with autoimmune and kidney problems.
Her death was later confirmed in a heartbreaking Instagram video posted by her cousin Bryan Seaver, who also acted as her head of security.
Seaver praised his aunt for “living in the light” and said she was now “in the arms of Jesus” and in the company of her late husband Carl Dean.
Parton’s loved ones began running to Nashville when they heard news of her hospitalization, but not everyone was able to reach her while she was still alive.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” Seaver said.
He praised his aunt for “living in the light” and said she was now “in the arms of Jesus” and in the company of her late husband Carl Dean, as well as her parents and “countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in heaven.”
Often referred to as the Queen of Country, Parton enjoyed an illustrious music career that spanned six decades and was perhaps best known for her hits Jolene and 9 to 5.
Her death came after months of health problems that saw her withdraw from a series of public appearances, fueling fans’ fears for her well-being.
Seaver fondly recalls joining Parton on tour when he was a child in the 1980s, saying that she “opened doors not only for me, but for her entire family to reach the potential that we didn’t even know was possible.”
He characterized her as ‘a farmer’s wife, just like her father. He tilled the soil. She cultivated songs and happiness. Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful plush cotton bed, because after a lifetime of wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.’
Family insiders indicated that a private service for close friends and associates will be held in Nashville in the coming days.
